From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
The Islamic Forum of Nigeria has called for the postponement of the forthcoming national population census, describing it as ill-timed.
The Forum with its National Headquarters in Kano, however, said the idea of having a national population census remains imperative, but must be shifted.
A Statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Prof. Salisu Shehu, indicated that: “The Forum commends the Federal Government of Nigeria for its resolve and commitment to conduct the exercise this year as it has been long overdue. Similarly, the Forum also appreciates the effective preparations being done by the National Population Commission in order to ensure successful conduct of the exercise.
“The Forum has, however, noticed with serious concern the time scheduled for the conduct of the National Population Census 2023 by the National Population Commission this coming month of March/April 2023.
“The exercise as it were is always a very rigorous one involving travels across the entire regions of this our great Country. Ad-hoc staff as is usually the case can be posted to any part of the country and indeed to very remote places far away from their places of origin.
“Tn this regard the Islamic Forum of Nigeria has certain very serious concerns principally over the timing for the conduct of the exercise as explained below :
“That the exercise as per the dates scheduled to hold coincides with the month of Ramadan when all Muslims worldwide will be observing their obligatory fasting.
“That Muslims all over the country, both the staff involved and the people to be enumerated will find it difficult to cope with the hardship that may be occasioned by travels in long distances and the actual rigors of the exercise.
“Considering the ongoing difficulty in the new bank notes scarcity, coupled with staying at home for five days during the exercise, Nigerians will definitely face more difficulties that need to be considered also by the National Population Commission.
“That 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, etc.
“In the light of the above observations therefore, the Islamic Forum of Nigeria fervently appeals to 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.
“We pray unto ALLAH to support us and make easy for us successful conduct of the exercise.”
