The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has risen in defence of the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Rasheed Adewale Akanbi (Telu I), describing recent attacks and allegations against the monarch as Islamophobic.
In a statement issued on Friday by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the faith-based civil rights organization rejected claims that the monarch was involved in the use of marijuana. MURIC insisted that the allegations were orchestrated by what it termed “rebellious subjects, unscrupulous elements, mud-slingers, and Muslim-haters.”
According to the statement, the monarch’s outspoken defense of Islam has continued to attract hostility from some quarters.
> “It is Islamophobia. Some anti-Islam elements still find it difficult to tolerate Oluwo’s bold and truthful stand on his faith in Islam. As the most outspoken Muslim traditional ruler in Yorubaland, the desire of Muslim-haters is to silence him,” Akintola said.
MURIC argued that the attacks constitute a violation of the monarch’s fundamental human rights and amount to cyberbullying under the Cybercrimes Act of 2015. The group further warned that those peddling such rumours risk facing legal consequences.
The organization disclosed that its Osun State chapter had been directed to collaborate with progressive groups in Iwo to monitor statements made on both mainstream and social media against the Oluwo, with a view to holding perpetrators accountable.
Professor Akintola also praised the Oluwo for debunking the allegations himself, describing them as “false, baseless, and unfounded.” He accused critics of attempting to tarnish the monarch’s image as part of a wider pattern of profiling successful Muslims in Nigeria.
In addition, MURIC congratulated the Oluwo on his recent victory at the Court of Appeal, while urging him to remain steadfast in serving his subjects.
> “Your critics are mere distractions. Remain focused in your dedication to Allah and loyalty to the Nigerian nation. May the crown remain on your head, the beads around your neck, the horse tail in your hand, and the queens in your palace till your last day,” the statement concluded.
