MURIC Demands Arrest of Christian Woman Preaching in Hijab in Lagos
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), a prominent Islamic human rights organization in Nigeria, has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of a Christian woman seen wearing a hijab while evangelizing in Lagos. The group alleges her actions could spark religious tensions in Nigeria’s most populous city.
Provocative Acts Alleged to Incite Religious Unrest
In a strongly-worded statement issued on Wednesday, July 9, MURIC described the woman’s street preaching while dressed in Islamic attire as “provocative, shameful, and capable of inciting religious unrest.” The organization claims to possess video evidence showing the woman engaging in what they call “religious impersonation.”
Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC’s Executive Director, stated: “We have obtained three video clips showing this woman deliberately wearing Muslim attire while preaching Christianity. This constitutes false pretence and could dangerously mislead people.”
Video Evidence Shows Controversial Preaching Tactics
According to MURIC’s account of the videos:
- One clip shows the woman on a Lagos street calling passersby to “accept Jesus as their Lord and saviour” while wearing full hijab
- Another captures her delivering a sermon inside a commercial bus in Islamic attire
- A third video allegedly shows her removing the hijab after preaching, leaving only a headscarf
“She is a confusionist. Her actions are provocative, nauseating, shameful, and preposterous. She is a danger to the community,” Akintola asserted.
Legal and Religious Concerns Raised
MURIC contends that while religious preaching isn’t illegal in Nigeria, the woman’s alleged deception crosses legal boundaries:
“With the evidence in our possession, it will be hard for her to defend herself if charged with impersonation, false pretence, and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace,” the professor stated.
The organization claims the woman admitted in one video that she adopted the hijab after “hearing a voice” instructing her to do so for evangelism purposes. MURIC argues this demonstrates dangerous religious extremism that threatens Nigeria’s fragile interfaith harmony.
Calls for Security Intervention
MURIC has formally petitioned both the Lagos State Police Command and the Department of State Services (DSS) to:
- Immediately arrest the woman
- Investigate her activities
- Prevent potential religious violence
The group also appealed to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to regulate its members’ evangelism methods, particularly regarding:
- Early morning street preaching with loudspeakers
- Unsolicited sermons in public transport
Broader Context of Religious Tensions
This incident occurs against Nigeria’s complex religious backdrop where:
- Muslims and Christians frequently accuse each other of aggressive proselytization
- Several states have laws regulating public preaching
- Religious violence has erupted in the past over similar controversies
MURIC referenced Lagos State’s existing ban on preaching in public buses, urging authorities to enforce it more strictly. The organization also called on CAN leadership to demonstrate “responsible” oversight of Christian evangelism activities.
Appeal for Restraint
While demanding legal action, MURIC simultaneously urged Muslim communities to exercise restraint:
“No one should take the law into his hands. Muslims are the face of Islam in the country and must act with patience and restraint,” Akintola said, quoting Islamic teachings on responding to provocation.
The group advised anyone encountering the woman to report her to authorities rather than confront her directly.
Authorities Yet to Respond
As of publication, neither the Lagos State Police Command nor DSS had publicly responded to MURIC’s petition. The identity and denomination of the Christian woman remain unconfirmed by independent sources.
This developing story highlights ongoing tensions around religious expression in Nigeria’s diverse urban centers, where competing evangelism efforts sometimes lead to conflict.
For more details on this developing story, read the original report from The Herald.