Shariah Council Issues Nationwide Declaration Defending Islamic Law in Nigeria
The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has issued a firm nationwide declaration asserting that no authority possesses the power to compel Muslims in Nigeria to abandon the practice of Shariah. The council emphasized that Shariah remains a constitutionally protected aspect of Islamic life, integral to the faith of millions of Nigerian Muslims.
Council Reacts to US Congressional Report on Shariah and Blasphemy Laws
This declaration was made by the council's Secretary General, Nafiu Baba Ahmad, in direct response to a recent report submitted by a committee of the United States Congress to President Donald Trump. The US report raised significant concerns over the implementation of Shariah and blasphemy laws in certain regions of Nigeria, describing them as problematic and recommending their repeal. Additionally, the report proposed a US-Nigeria security pact and potential sanctions against individuals alleged to be offenders.
US lawmakers argued in the report that blasphemy laws in Nigeria's northern states are frequently utilized to suppress free speech and dissent, specifically targeting Christians and minority groups. They contended that these laws often lead to convictions without proper due process, undermining judicial fairness.
SCSN Dismisses US Report as Misleading and Inaccurate
The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria has categorically dismissed the US congressional report as misleading and inaccurate. The council asserted that the report wrongly portrays Nigeria as a location of what it termed a "Christian genocide," a characterization the SCSN vehemently rejects. Furthermore, the council stated that the report unfairly questions the fundamental rights of Muslims in Nigeria to practice their religion freely and in accordance with their beliefs.
The council stressed that Shariah is not merely a set of criminal laws but a comprehensive way of life for Muslims. In an official statement, the SCSN elaborated, "For clarity, Shariah constitutes a comprehensive way of life for Muslims, encompassing spiritual, moral, social, and legal dimensions. It is the divinely ordained framework through which Muslims regulate their personal and communal affairs." The statement added that Shariah courts operate strictly within the constitutional boundaries of Nigeria and apply exclusively to Muslims who voluntarily choose their jurisdiction for personal and communal matters.
Constitutional Basis and Warning Against External Interference
Citing Nigeria's Constitution, the council highlighted that it guarantees freedom of religion and permits adherents to conduct their personal affairs in alignment with their religious beliefs. The SCSN issued a stern warning that any attempt to criminalize, delegitimize, or externally dictate how Nigerian Muslims practice their religion would constitute a direct attack on the nation's sovereignty and its established constitutional order.
"The council therefore rejects any external interference in Nigeria's internal affairs," the statement declared. It noted that Nigeria is a multi-religious nation with a plural legal system and faces complex security challenges that require domestic solutions, not foreign imposition.
Rejection of Religious Genocide Framing and Condemnation of Violence
The SCSN also firmly rejected what it described as the false and one-sided framing of Nigeria's ongoing security crisis as a religious genocide targeting Christians. The council clarified that the violence plaguing the nation stems from a combination of terrorism, banditry, organized criminality, and governance deficits. It emphasized that both Muslims and Christians have been victims of these security challenges, suffering loss and hardship.
While the council criticized the government's response to insecurity as inadequate, it unequivocally condemned all forms of killing and bloodshed across Nigeria. "We unequivocally condemn all killings and bloodshed across Nigeria, regardless of the identity of victims or perpetrators. We mourn every innocent life lost and reject the politicization of human suffering," the statement read.
Call for Enhanced Security and Peaceful Coexistence
The council issued a call to action for both federal and state authorities, urging them to prioritize national security and fulfill their primary duty of protecting the lives and property of all citizens. It also called upon Muslims, especially during the ongoing Ramadan period, to remain law-abiding and deeply committed to the principles of peaceful coexistence with followers of other faiths.
The declaration concluded with a powerful affirmation: "Nigeria belongs to all of us. Our faith is not negotiable, our Constitution is clear, and our sovereignty must be respected by other nations and protected by our government." This statement underscores the council's resolve to defend Islamic practice within the framework of Nigerian law and national integrity.
