The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has appealed to the Lagos State Examinations Board to shift one of the dates of its Entrance Examination into Lagos State Model Colleges which falls on 19th July, 2021,saying that 19th or 20th July are still being considered for the Muslim festival of Id al-Adha.
In a statement by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC noted that the Lagos State Examinations Board has set aside 15th-17th and 19th July, 2021 for the conduct of 2021 CBT-based screening examination into the state’s Model Colleges.
Coincidentally, it noted, the Muslim festival of Id al-Adha is being speculated to hold on 19th or 20th July, 2021.
This he said has raised tension among Muslims in the state who have expressed fear that there would likely be a clash between the examination and the festival.
“The inconveniences this is likely to cause can be compared to picking 24th December which is too close to Christmas Day (25th December) for an examination. It is therefore controversial.
“The Lagos State government may want to steer clear of a highly controversial date as a mark of recognition, respect and sensitivity for the feelings of Muslims in the state,” Akintola noted.
On the contrary, Akintola suggested: “Our humble suggestion is that another day be substituted for 19th July which is the last day of the examination. It is very glaring that the examination is a four-day affair. Instead of starting on Thursday 15th July, the exercise may start from Wednesday 14th July and end on Saturday 17th July 2021.
“Option ‘B’ is to postpone the last paper till after the Muslim festival. Thursday 22nd July appears to be suitable for this shift.
“The shift to Thursday 22nd July will not have any negative impact on candidates as there had been a shift in the dates planned for the same examination in the past.
“The 2021 Entrance Examination into Lagos State Model Colleges was initially slated for 28th June -3rd July, 2021 but it was shifted to 15th to 19th July, 2021. Therefore, a new postponement will not surprise the candidates, their parents and guardians.”
He appealed to the Lagos State Examinations Board to consider the proposal, adding that Lagos is known for religious tolerance and the state has enjoyed cordial inter-religious relationship for long.
“This peaceful ecosystem needs to be nurtured into fruition when we can all boldly beat our chests and say, ‘This, truly, is the State of Excellence’.”
He also urged the board to allow a two-hour break during the examination which will be held on Friday, 16th July, 2021 to enable Muslim candidates to worship.
“We must seize this opportunity to commend the Lagos State Government, particularly the Commissioner for Education who has always taken steps to address issues immediately they are reported. This has resulted in amicable settlement of cases of hijab persecution in some Lagos schools and the aversion of the crisis.”
He said MURIC would continue to engage governments, institutions, groups and individuals in a peaceful interface, and urged Muslims in Lagos State to continue to cooperate with the government and never resort to violence or any form of confrontation.