The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), Nigeria, has condemned the reported suspension of a mosque construction project at Ede High School in Osun State, describing it as a significant violation of religious freedom and due process.
In a statement signed by its Executive Chairman, Disu Kamor, MPAC alleged that the decision to halt the project was influenced by the Seventh Day Adventist Church and prominent businessman Dr. Deji Adeleke, despite the mosque having received formal approval from the Osun State Ministry of Education.
“This incident is not merely about a building. It is about whether rule of law will be respected when it does not serve private interests. It is about whether the faith identity of Muslim students in public institutions can be dignified in the same manner others expect for themselves,” Kamor said.
Describing Ede as a predominantly Muslim community, MPAC lamented ongoing challenges faced by Muslim students in freely practicing their faith, including the right to communal worship.
The group warned that suspending the mosque project signals a broader issue of private influence being used to suppress minority rights.
MPAC called on Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to intervene and ensure the mosque’s construction resumes without further hindrance.
The organization also urged the state’s Ministry of Education to stand by its earlier approval and appealed to security agencies to investigate any alleged intimidation or harassment connected to the project.
Furthermore, the group encouraged faith leaders and civic actors to speak out, stressing that the situation “demands moral clarity and courage.”
“Peace is not the absence of noise; it is the presence of justice,” Kamor added, urging the Ede Muslim community to remain calm but determined in asserting their constitutional rights.
MPAC reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful dialogue and legal advocacy, emphasizing that the mosque project represents more than just a building—it symbolizes the pursuit of justice and social equity.