News

Islamic Forum Appeals for Postponement of National Population Census

Published

1 year ago

February 13, 2023

Stella Charles Akupue

Islamic Forum Appeals for Postponement of National Population Census

The Islamic Forum of Nigeria has appealed to the federal government to postpone the national population census due to Ramadan fasting. In a statement signed by the executive secretary Islamic Forum of Nigeria, Professor Salisu Shehu and made available to Radio Nigeria in kano.

According to the statement, the Forum has observed with grave concern that the time scheduled for the conduct of the national population census appears to be the month when Muslims worldwide observe obligatory fasting. Professor Salisu Shehu explained that the exercise is rigorous.

It involves travels across the entire region, where ad-hoc staff can be posted to any part of the country and remote areas away from their places of origin.

Professor Salisu Shehu and made available to Radio Nigeria in kano.

” Generally, Muslims, especially those that will travel to remote non-Muslim areas, will not even find the convenience and the conducive environment to observe their spiritual duties in Ramadan like TARAWIH PRAYERS at nights, the SAHUR and IFTAR, TAFSEER.”

Islamic Forum Appeals for Postponement of National Population Census

The executive secretary highlighted that Muslims all over the country, staff involved, and the people to be enumerated would find it difficult to cope with the hardship that may be occasioned by travels in long distances and the rigours of the exercise.

The statement pointed out that the Islamic Forum of Nigeria is calling on the Federal Government of Nigeria to consider the plight of a community/population well above One-Hundred and Twenty Million (120,000,000) and, therefore, prevail on the National Population Commission to postpone the exercise to a more conducive and convenient time after Ramadan.

He stressed that considering the ongoing difficulty of the new banknotes scarcity, coupled with staying at home for five days during the exercise, Nigerians would definitely face more challenges that also need to be considered by the National Population Commission.

Islamic Forum Appeals for Postponement of National Population Census

He pointed out that the Forum is aware that the Census is a national imperative vital to national development. He commends the federal government for its resolve and commitment to conduct the exercise this year, as it has been long overdue.

Professor Salisu said the Forum also appreciates the National Population Commission’s adequate preparations to ensure the successful conduct of the exercise.