The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the international cable television network, GOTV, to immediately cease airing the Christian televangelism programme Faith on its primary channel.
In a statement released on Friday and signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC described the decision as “offensive, nauseating, and denigrating” to Nigerian Muslims.
According to MURIC, Faith, which focuses on Christian teachings, now occupies GOTV’s top channel, a slot previously reserved for programme advertisements. The group argues that this change compels viewers to watch Christian content by default when they turn on their televisions, disregarding their religious beliefs.
“This amounts to imposing Christian religious content on Muslim viewers,” the statement read, likening the move to “religious apartheid.”
MURIC further claimed that GOTV’s action infringes on the rights of Muslim viewers, violating their freedom to choose content without being exposed to religious programming they do not wish to watch. The organization called the practice divisive and unfair to Nigeria’s Muslim population.
The group demanded that GOTV relocate the Faith programme to another channel and restore the original function of the primary channel. They issued a one-week ultimatum, ending on December 9, 2024, to address the matter or face peaceful actions, including urging Muslims to unsubscribe from the service.
“MURIC appeals to Nigerian Muslims to remain calm, patient, and peaceful in the face of this provocation,” the statement added. “We must not resort to lawlessness or violence. The law is on our side, and we have the right to reject any service provider that disrespects our faith or Muslim customers.”
The group also suggested that GOTV revert to its original practice of automatically resuming the last channel watched when users switch on their televisions.
“Nigerians are already enduring enough stress. GOTV has no right to escalate tensions within the country’s social fabric,” the statement concluded.
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