Iseyin church violence against Muslim women: Al-Mu’minaat calls for justice

Al-Mu’minaat (The Believing Women) Organization, Oyo State Chapter has condemned violence against Muslim women by a CAC pastor in Iseyin which occurred on Ileya day.

On Sunday, June 16 at Oke Imuse Iseyin, Oyo State, the soldiers hired by the Pastor of Christ Apostolic Church in the community, Busari Stephen, fiercely attacked a Muslim man, Abdul Azeez Sulaiman and brutalized his two wives, Nafeesah Imran and Ajarat Razaq, who are in purdah.

The soldiers, led by the Pastor’s son, Damilola Stephen, on the faithful day stormed the residential home of the victims at Olobide Villa on Eid Al Adha and attacked them with dangerous weapons shortly after they returned from Eid (praying) ground.

In a release signed by Hajia Rafah Bakrin, the Ameerah of Al-Mu’minaat (The Believing Women) Organization, Oyo State Chapter and made available to News Live Nigeria, the organisation said the incident is a clear manifestation of religious intolerance and abuse of power by the military officers contracted to execute the denigration of the status of an innocent family.

It therefore called for justice adding that “adequate compensation and medical attention must be provided to all victims, including the pregnant woman who suffered such inhumane treatment”.

The release read:

“CHURCH VIOLENCE AGAINST MUSLIM WOMAN IN ISEYIN ON ILEYA DAY: A CALL FOR JUSTICE AND CONDEMNATION OF VIOLENCE

We, the undersigned Muslim women of Iseyin and members of Al-Mu’minaat Organization, Oyo State Chapter, are deeply disturbed and outraged by the recent incident that occurred on Ileya Day.

An Alfa, his wife and children were brutally beaten and inhumanly injured by soldiers at the behest of a pastor whose church neighbours the residence of the Alfa, merely for carrying out the religious act of slaughtering a ram in front of house as part of the Islamic rites of Ileya festival.

This deplorable act of violence perpetrated by the pastor of the church neighbouring the Alfa’s residence took place on what should have been a joyous day of celebration for the affected family and the Muslim community of Iseyin at large. It is even more egregious that the violence was incited by a pastor and carried out by some military officers sworn to protect the citizens at the beckon of the pastor.

Among the victims the pregnant wife of the Alfa, whom, along with other members of the family, was severely scourged. This is not only a gross violation of human rights but also a blatant disregard for the sanctity of life and the principles of religious tolerance and mutual respect.

We unequivocally condemn this act of violence. It is a clear manifestation of religious intolerance and abuse of power by the military officers contracted to execute the denigration of the status of an innocent family. Such actions threaten the peace and harmony that we strive to maintain in our religiously diverse community.

We call upon relevant government authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into this incident. Those found responsible, including the pastor who instigated the violence and the soldiers who carried it out, must be held accountable to face the music. Again, adequate compensation and medical attention must be provided to all victims, including the pregnant woman who suffered such inhumane treatment.

The government and security agencies must ensure the protection of all citizens’ rights to practice their religion freely and without fear of persecution or violence, just like religious leaders and community members should engage in constructive dialogue to promote mutual respect and understanding among different faith communities.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for continuous efforts towards fostering a society where peace, respect, and tolerance are upheld. We stand in solidarity with the victims and pledge to continue advocating for justice, human rights, and religious harmony as enshrined in the Constitution of the nation.

We will, as an Islamic faith-based organisation for the rights of women and children, stop at nothing on securing justice for the affected member of our organisation in this incidence, just as we will do for any other woman in Oyo State.”