IT’S UNFAIR TO MUSLIMS FOR FRIDAY TO BE A WORKING DAY

Read Time:1 Minute, 35 Second

By: Sefiu Ajape

Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has urged a review of Nigeria’s work schedule to allow Muslims observe Friday prayers without interference, describing the current system as unjust.

In a video posted on his Facebook page on Friday, Omokri explained that before colonialism, Fridays were already recognised as a rest day for Muslims.

He argued that it was unfair for Christians to have Sunday as a non-working day while Muslims are still required to work on Fridays, despite the day’s spiritual importance.

“I don’t think it is fair for the Muslim Ummah for us to have Friday as a working day in Nigeria. Originally, before colonialism, it was not like that,” Omokri said.

Suggesting a compromise, he proposed changes to Nigeria’s daily work schedule that would see offices start earlier from Monday to Thursday, leaving space for Friday work to end by midday.

“Now we have Sunday as a non-working day and Friday as a working day. I think that we can achieve a compromise.

“What we can do is that instead of work beginning on Mondays all the way to Friday at 9am or 8am, we can start work at 7:30am on Mondays to Fridays and then on Friday we close at 12 o’clock,” he explained.

Omokri further maintained that such an arrangement would not hurt the nation’s productivity or economic growth, as the lost Friday hours could be compensated on other days.

“So the time we are going to lose on Friday we are going to gain it back from Monday to Thursday.

“So it is not going to affect our productivity as a country and our GDP.

“And then the Muslim Ummah can close at 12 noon and go for Solat Jumaat,” he said.

According to him, the proposal would ensure fairness by balancing religious obligations with Nigeria’s official workday structure.