The Muslim Rights Concern has expressed support for the demand by traditionalists for the Federal Government to declare Isese Day a national holiday.
The International Council for Ifa Religion had on Wednesday urged President Bola Tinubu to accord Isese adherents the same holiday privileges as Muslims and Christians.
Specifically, the traditionalists demanded August 20 and 21 as national holidays, noting that Isese Day is observed annually for cultural and religious celebrations.
Council President, Fayemi Fakayode, called on Tinubu to address what he described as inequality among the three major religions in Nigeria by giving due recognition to Isese practitioners.
He said, “We call for national recognition from President Tinubu through the declaration of August 20 and 21 as public holidays for Isese across Nigeria. We also want the government to fund cultural festivals, protect shrines and sacred lands, and integrate practitioners into cultural councils, as it is being done for Muslims and Christians.”
Already, the governments of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Osun states declared Wednesday a public holiday in commemoration of Isese Day.
Speaking with The PUNCH, the Executive Director of MURIC, Prof Ishaq Akintola, said Muslims had no objection to the demand, describing it as an issue of fundamental human rights.
He said, “We don’t have any objection to that. If what they are asking for is collective, for their group, why should we object? If the government gives them, it doesn’t disturb us.
“What is interesting in Nigeria is that when Muslims demand something, some people will stand up somewhere and say, no, Muslims should not be given. That is selfishness. We are not selfish. Let them give their holidays. The more, the merrier. No objection.”
Also speaking on the significance of Wednesday’s Isese Day commemoration, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, stressed the need to preserve traditional religion as part of the Yoruba heritage.
Through his media aide, Mr Bode Durojaiye, Owoade noted that declaring Isese Day a holiday would help address the marginalisation of traditional religion.
He said, “Our traditional religion is part of our heritage, which needs to be preserved and recognised. The frontal attack on Yoruba religious, socio-cultural and spiritual traditions must be resisted and confronted.
“Muslims celebrate various feasts attached to the life and times of Prophet Mohammed all around the world yearly, and Christians celebrate feasts associated with the life and times of Jesus Christ.
“The Isese Day has been set aside to celebrate the indigenous Yoruba culture and traditions as well as the preservation of the Yoruba heritage.”
