Islamic Cleric Faults FG, Nigerian Army over Recruitment Procedure

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

A renowned Islamic Scholar, Dr. Muhammad Sani Umar Rijiyan Lemo has faulted Federal Government and the Nigerian Army for scheduling the screening exercise for recruitment into the Nigerian Army during Ramadan period.

Umar made the observation yesterday during his Ramadan Tafsir session at Gwallaja Juma’at Mosque Bauchi, describing the exercise as a “deliberate attempt to deny Muslim youths who are observing fasting, the opportunity of joining the Army because of the physical activities involved in the screening process.”

The cleric wondered why the Nigerian Army choose the month of the Ramadan fast to carry out the exercise.
“In the twelve months we have, the Muslims only use one month for the Ramadan fast and it is that particular month that the army decides to conduct physical activities for recruitment purposes, there is more to it than meets the eye,” he said.

The Muslim cleric then called on elected functionaries of government who are of the Islamic faith at the state and national levels to make known the concern of the Muslim communities with regards to the ongoing screening exercise into the Nigerian Army.
He said, “our governors, national and state assembly members should rise to the occasion by challenging the authorities on the rationale behind the scheduling of the screening exercise during Ramadan fast.”

Umar further maintained that religion is a fundamental human right and fasting is one of the pillars of Islam that cannot be compromised saying.

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