MURIC, the Muslim Rights Concern, has raised concerns regarding the examination schedule issued by the Lagos State Ministry of Education, News About Nigeria reports.
According to MURIC, the timetable for the third term exams in public schools across the state shows insensitivity towards the religious rights of Muslim teachers and students.
In a statement, Dr. Busari Jamiu-Ademola, the Chairman of MURIC in Lagos State, expressed disappointment with the timetable, which fails to consider the constitutional rights of Muslims.
The particular issue highlighted by MURIC is the scheduling of the third paper on Friday, July 14, coinciding with the time for obligatory Friday prayers, known as Jumu’ah.
The statement emphasizes that this timetable prevents hundreds of Muslim teachers and students from observing Jumu’ah prayers.
It points out that the third paper is scheduled to start at 1:45 pm, while the second examination on the same day concludes by 1:00 pm.
MURIC considers this a violation of rights, as it raises the question of how Muslim teachers and students can fulfill their religious obligations on that day.
MURIC appealed to the Lagos State Ministry of Education and Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to urgently revise the timetable and allow Muslim teachers and students the necessary time to observe their prayers.
It highlighted the fact that in Lagos, Jumu’ah prayer is typically observed between 1 pm and 2:30 pm, underscoring the importance of accommodating this religious practice.
The statement emphasized that the rights to education and freedom of religious practice for all Lagosians should not be disregarded. MURIC believes that Muslim students and teachers should not be subjected to psychological distress due to the insensitivity and repeated actions of certain officials in positions of authority.
