The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has raised its voice in concern, addressing the nation’s economic challenges worsened by the recent removal of fuel subsidies. Prof. Is-haq Akintola, the Secretary General of NSCIA, conveyed this apprehension in a statement issued yesterday.
Expressing deep concern, Prof. Akintola highlighted the profound impacts of the subsidy removal on the Nigerian populace. The economic turbulence comes as an additional burden for citizens already wrestling with the aftermath of terrorism and insecurity. The Secretary-General emphasized that the majority of Muslims now find it challenging to meet basic needs, transforming survival into a daily battle.
To address the pressing needs of the Muslim Ummah, NSCIA established the Mission for Education, Society, and Health (MESH) in 2016. MESH has been actively involved in addressing educational, social, and health concerns within the Ummah. Despite MESH’s ongoing efforts, the Ummah Care Initiative has been conceived as an emergency palliative intervention to alleviate the immediate impact of economic hardship on vulnerable members of the Muslim community.
Acknowledging the existing palliative efforts by federal and state governments, Prof. Akintola expressed concern about discrimination against Muslims in certain states, citing Plateau State as a case study. In response to this emergency, the Ummah Care Initiative aims to mobilize resources nationwide to benefit socially excluded members of the Muslim community. This initiative operates independently of government interventions, seeking to fill gaps and ensure that relief reaches those who need it most.
The Secretary-General affirmed that the initiative is a temporary response to the current economic crisis and will later integrate into MESH, which will continue its broader mission of alleviating the suffering of Nigerian Muslims. By doing so, MESH remains committed to offering hope to the impoverished and fulfilling the basic needs of the most vulnerable members of society.
NSCIA’s statement underscores the gravity of the economic challenges faced by Nigerians, particularly within the Muslim community. It emphasizes the organization’s commitment to immediate relief efforts through the Ummah Care Initiative, while also maintaining its long-term focus on comprehensive support through MESH. As the nation navigates these economic uncertainties, NSCIA calls for collective efforts to mitigate the impact on vulnerable segments of the population, irrespective of religious affiliations.
