An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned the postponement of the $1 trillion National Halal Presentation Ceremony which was originally scheduled for Monday, 27th October, 2025.

The group accused the Federal Government (FG) of spoon-feeding Christian leaders and succumbing to their blackmail. It also demanded a revisit of the exercise after proper consultation.

In a statement issued on Friday, 31st October, 2025 by the group’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC l also alleged that Christian opposition to the scheme was driven by Islamophobia, parochialism and primordial sentiment.

Full details of the statement:

“The launch of the $1 trillion National Halal Presentation Ceremony which was originally scheduled for Monday, 27th October, 2025 was abruptly postponed 24 hours to the event. It is believed that the postponement was due to the objections raised by some Christian leaders.

“We strongly condemn this sudden postponement. More importantly, we denounce the demonization of the halal system of economy. We also deplore the way and manner the postponement came about.

“It portrays the Federal Government (FG) as an administration keen on spoon-feeding Christian leaders and succumbing to their blackmail.We aver that Christian opposition to the scheme was driven by Islamophobia, parochialism and primordial sentiment.

“Christian leaders exhibited the same base sentiments when the idea of Islamic banking was muted around the year 2010. They called at an attempt to islamize Nigeria. They threatened hell and brimstone. But the government of the day stayed focused. Islamic banking was eventually approved and today we have about four Islamic banks offering non-interest services.

“The question we need to ask these Christian leaders who are afraid of their own shadows is ‘Has Nigeria been islamised since the introduction of Islamic banking? Has a single Christian converted to Islam on account of coming in contact with an Islamic bank?

“Of all the infrastructural windows in Nigeria today, the Sukuk remains the most effective. Yet the hullabaloo that erupted over sukuk was enough to bring the sky down at the time. Christian leaders swore it would happen over their dead bodies. But today sukuk is performing wonders and those Christian leaders are still alive.

“Westo-Christian economy which is based on arbitrary interest rates is retarding Nigeria’s economic growth. Nigerian banks with their Shylock mentality are asking for 30% interest while halal economy is based on interest-free business transactions. The difference is clear. FG should boldly assert its position and protect Nigerian businesses from neo-imperialist hawks.

“We are miffed that a government that boldly confronted the subsidy cabal suddenly developed cold feet at the launch of an economic policy capable of taking the country to El dorado just because two Muslim-haters cried wolf where there is none.

“We have a situation here: FG just caught pneumonia because two Christian clergies coughed. This is not good enough. It is clear that Nigerian Muslims have become scapegoats in the present Muslim-Muslim ticket.

“It is very obvious that we are experiencing a clash of civilizations but the unfortunate thing is that FG is pampering one over the other. This is going to compel Nigerian Muslims to go back to the drawing board and restrategize. From all indications, it is clear that this interfaith thing is not yielding any positive result.

“All this talk about religious tolerance is not working because it is tilted towards a Christian domination agenda. Whereas the colonialists bequeathed a Christian-oriented administrative system which should have been adjusted for balance after independence, Christian leaders always see Islamisation whenever an attempt is made towards inclusion. This is at the core of the controversy.

“Muslims will continue to demand the reflection of both cultures in every aspect of Nigerian life, be it political, economic, educational or otherwise. With the constant Islamophobia manifested by Christian leaders, even the blind can see the monopolistic propensity of our neighbours.

“Nonetheless, FG must not abdicate its fatherly role. It is the duty of a father to ensure equity in his treatment of all his children. This must be done in such a way that no child feels marginalized or abandoned.

“To this end, we call on FG to revisit the postponed halal policy. More robust enlightenment and consultation sessions will clear the fog.”