By Esther Olaoluwa
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has expressed strong disapproval of GOTV’s decision to feature the Christian televangelism program Faith as the default broadcast on its main channel.
According to a statement by Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC’s Executive Director, this change is viewed as an affront to the sensibilities of Nigerian Muslims and an act of religious insensitivity.
The group argues that by making Faith the first program displayed when users turn on their television, regardless of the channel they were previously watching, GOTV is effectively forcing Christian content on its diverse audience, including its Muslim subscribers.
Describing the decision as “offensive” and “divisive,” MURIC claims it infringes on the rights of Muslim viewers to freely choose their programming.
The organization likened the move to “religious apartheid,” accusing GOTV of creating unnecessary tensions in a multi-religious nation like Nigeria. MURIC demands an immediate reversal of this policy, urging the company to reassign Faith to a less prominent slot and to restore the default channel to its original use for general program advertisements.
The group warned that failure to comply by December 9, 2024, could result in a boycott campaign urging Muslims to unsubscribe from the service.
However, MURIC also called on Nigerian Muslims to remain calm, avoid violence, and adhere to peaceful methods in addressing the issue.
The organization emphasized the importance of respect for all faiths and urged GOTV to reconsider its decision in the interest of unity and harmony.
The statement concluded by criticizing the network for contributing to social tension during a period when Nigerians are already dealing with significant challenges.
