The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) on Monday called on the Federal Government to criminalise child abandonment by parents in Nigeria.

The MURIC director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, who made the call in a statement issued in Lagos, said it would hold parents accountable and reduce incidents of child neglect.

"We are worried about the large number of children roaming the streets. These are the leaders of tomorrow.

"Our children are our strength but that is only if we give them proper upbringing through a balanced education otherwise they become a sword of Damocles hanging above our heads. MURIC calls on the National Assembly (NASS) and all state legislatures in the country to set the machinery in motion for criminalising child abandonment," he said.

He said men who failed to educate or train their children and allow them to roam the streets should be held accountable.

"The Glorious Qur'an chapter 2 verse 233 charges parents (particularly fathers) to provide the basic necessities of life including food, accommodation and clothing," he said

He added that the Quran also compelled parents to educate their children.

"It is therefore a gross dereliction of parental responsibility to send children to the streets to beg, hawk or engage in any form of child labour.

"There is also the eschatological correlate in the issue of child bearing. Allah is going to ask parents how well they take care of their children," he said.

He said it was sad to note that the permission to marry more than one wife which was contained in Qur'an chapter 4 verse 3 was often abused and misunderstood.

"Men ignore the provision contained in the same verse that marrying more than one wife is only permitted if he has the ability to provide adequately for the extra wives and the children.

"The existence of about 10 million almajiri children is an alarming phenomenon.

"More so the gory sight of thousands of children and young hawkers running after vehicles for the purpose of making sales and thereby getting their daily bread is symptomatic of governmental failure.

"These roaming youth are time bombs. We cannot solve the problem of crime proliferation without securing the future of our young ones,"

"It is not enough to arrest child-hawkers. Their parents, particularly the fathers, should be arrested, detained and prosecuted.

"There should be a law that empowers law enforcement agents to take an almajiri to his father's house for the purpose of arresting the father and making him face the law," he said.

He urged Imams to reform the Friday Khutbah (sermon) on the minbar (pulpit) to suit the needs of society. (NAN)

Source: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/almajri-muric-wants-child-abandonment-criminalised.html

Front page: lalasticlala mynd44

It is already illegal but the government never cared to enforce it. State legislature most likely already have laws against it as well. The only way to make these deadbeats act normal is throw them in jail.

I blame the females for putting themselves in a bad situation. You see this bum is not taking care of his current wife(s) or kids then you want be next in line? Your family and friends should've gave fair warning if they love you.

Criminal Code Act Chapter 77

Chapter 25 sec. 341: 

Any person who unlawfully abandons or exposes a child under the age of seven years, in such a manner that any grievous harm is likely to be caused to it, is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for five years.

Chapter 32 sec. 372:

Any person who being the parent, guardian or other person having the lawful care or charge of a child under the age of twelve years, and being able to maintain such child, wilfully and without lawful or reasonable cause deserts the child and leaves it without means of support, is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for one year.

Surprised this is coming from Muric. Well, a bad clock Is still always right twice a day.

Hmm

This is the 1st time muric would ever say anything reasonable and sensible.

Government should have the political will to enforce the law we already have on this child abandonment.

Una for get sense like that?

"More so the gory sight of thousands of children and young hawkers running after vehicles for the purpose of making sales and thereby getting their daily bread is symptomatic of governmental failure.

I would say it's also a cultural failure. This practice originated out Nigeria and the people didnt have the sense to reform it. It should just be banned. Other muslims societies figured out how to teach islam in schools without turning their kids into beggars.

But wait o, why is there hardly any almajiri among northern Christians?

Northern Christian children are always so polished irrespective of how poor the family is


Are these people not ot of the same culture as those claiming almajiri northern culture?

Don't even tell me it's a Muslim thing cos there is hardly any Arab country (the main moslems) who practice it?

For the first time, this guy us making sense.

Mikehot:
But wait o, why is there hardly any almajiri among northern Christians? Northern Christian children are always so polished irrespective of how poor the family is.

Christians opt to teach in school or at home themselves. They wouldn't be sending their children to be almajiris.

lilprinze:
This is the 1st time muric would ever say anything reasonable and sensible.

I concur.

Boko is haram