ABUJA – The Director General of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Brig Gen Zakariya Kazaure and the Executives of the Muslim Corpers Association of Nigeria (MCAN) have agreed on some packages for Muslim corps members as they resume at orientation camps across the country.
MCAN national executives described the meeting they had with the DG NYSC as “favourable to a significant extent”
MCAN National Amir, Abdullahi Imam Ishaq had informed the DG about how worried a lot of Muslims and Muslim organisations were, due to the camping period which is due to commence during Ramadan.
Responding, the DG said it was a very difficult decision to fix the date during Ramadan, noting hoeever that many parents and potential corps members had complained of being tired of staying at home.
At the end of the meeting the following packages were agreed on for Muslim corps members:
1. Identification of all Muslim Corps member: MCAN representatives across Nigeria shall be supportive during the NYSC registration process in camp to gather the list of all Muslim corps members who are fasting and design a suitable meal time table in collaboration with state coordinators for the convenience of those fasting.
2. Flexibility and selection of MEAL: Muslim corps members in camp shall have the opportunity to select how they want their meal to be, in terms of Solid or light meal and which kind of available meal on NYSC list they will like. This will be organised through MCAN representatives and selected Muslim corps members in camp.
3. Exhaustive camping activities is very much optional, any Muslim who cannot bear the camp Training should sit and watch those involved in it, however, on no account should any Muslim abuse this privilege by sleeping in the Hostel when they are not expected to.
4. Sisters can use their Long Hijab as they like in as much as it is white but Long Hijab should not be used on Parade ground and drill ground. The DG promised no official will disturb any sister on Hijab, However, they should be as abiding and complying as much as possible. The NYSC PRO; Mrs Aderibigbe also added to this point by advising that sister can also stay in the masjid instead of going to parade ground with long hijab.
5. MCAN members can volunteer to be part of cooking committee to assist in cooking food that will be suitable for fasting corps members. In respect of this point, MCAN encourages PCM who will be in camp to make themselves available to prepare sahur and iftar for their colleagues.
6. Muslims can spend more time in the mosque to carry out some of their religious rite which requires such, In fact , any muslim corps members who feels his fate cannot bear the camping environment as they are fasting should use the Masjid after, after they must have informed the MCAN Amir of their respective state. However, this has to be under a serious control system in order to prevent abuse of such opportunity. MCAN representatives who must have meet with state coordinators will help in coming to a consensus with the state coordinator and camp commandant in regards to this.
Consequently, all Muslim Corps members have been advised to register with MCAN on the first day of getting to camp so as to know the total number of Corps member fasting and proper arrangement will be made for them.
