The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has commended the Nigerian Army Headquarters and the Commandant of Mogadishu Cantonment for reopening a mosque within the military facility after its week-long closure.
The Islamic human rights organisation described the reopening as a demonstration of professionalism, maturity and respect for the rule of law, expressing hope that the development would strengthen relations between Muslims and the military.
MURIC’s Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, conveyed the organisation’s appreciation in a press statement issued on Sunday, October 25, 2026.
According to Akintola, the mosque, which serves Muslim soldiers and their families residing in the cantonment, was reopened on Tuesday, October 20, the same day the organisation publicly appealed to the military authorities to address the closure.
The mosque had reportedly been shut since Monday, October 12, 2026.
MURIC had earlier called on the Army Headquarters and the cantonment authorities to reopen the facility, citing its importance to Muslim personnel and their families who depend on it for their daily prayers.
Expressing relief over the reopening, Akintola said the development had restored the organisation’s confidence that dialogue and appeals could produce positive outcomes.
He said, “News of its reopening on that same day melted our agony the way ice cream liquidifies in the burning desert sun and filled our hearts with joy after a week of excruciating pain. It convinced us that there is hope in our country, Nigeria.”
The MURIC director praised the Army Headquarters and the cantonment commandant, describing their action as evidence of professionalism among military personnel and respect for the rule of law.
“This act is symptomatic of high-level professionalism in the Nigerian Army, undiluted maturity of its senior officers and their deep respect for the rule of law. We doff our hats to the Nigerian Army,” he said.
Akintola added that the decision to reopen the mosque could help strengthen goodwill between Muslims and the military, stressing that cooperation between citizens and security agencies was essential to tackling terrorism, insurgency and other security challenges.
He urged Muslims across the country to cooperate fully with military personnel and other security agencies in the collective effort to combat crime and maintain peace.
“We need all hands on deck to eliminate crime or, at least, to reduce it to the barest minimum,” he said.
MURIC reiterated its call for constructive engagement and peaceful dialogue in resolving issues affecting religious rights and the welfare of Muslim communities.