The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has issued a stern warning to the United States government over alleged calls for Washington to pressure President Bola Ahmed Tinubu into banning Shari'ah law and the Hisbah police system in Nigeria.
MURIC's Strong Condemnation of US Interference
In a strongly-worded statement released on December 6, 2025, the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, described the reported call by Dr. Ebenezer Obadare, a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, as crossing a red line. Akintola labeled Obadare's suggestion as "mischievous, reactionary, and outlandish," further condemning it as undemocratic, neocolonial, and imperialistic.
The professor emphasized that Shari'ah is an inseparable part of the Islamic faith and the way of life for Nigerian Muslims. "The moment anyone attempts to touch our Shari'ah, we begin to see him seeking to eliminate Islam in its totality," Akintola stated. He cautioned that any external interference with Nigeria's Islamic legal framework could lead to the alienation of the Muslim population and severely undermine ongoing national security efforts.
Constitutional Protections and National Security Concerns
MURIC's statement highlighted that both Shari'ah and the Hisbah are constitutionally and legally protected institutions in Nigeria, reflecting the democratic choice of the people in several states. The organization argued that any attempt to outlaw them would be a direct betrayal of democratic principles.
The group also raised critical questions about the United States' intentions in Nigeria's fight against terrorism. MURIC questioned whether the U.S. focus is genuinely on combating terrorist groups or if it is, in fact, targeting Islam itself. This concern was reportedly sparked by Obadare's call, which came during a joint House briefing following former U.S. President Donald Trump's designation of Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern."
Potential for Increased Social Unrest
Beyond the constitutional argument, MURIC warned of dire social consequences. The organization stated that undermining Shari'ah law would not help counter extremism but would instead exacerbate social tensions and potentially weaken the collective fight against banditry and terrorism.
"Shutting down Shari'ah institutions does not fight terrorism; it helps bandits and extremists gain ground," the statement read clearly. This warning signals a growing apprehension among Nigerian Muslim organizations regarding perceived foreign interference in the country's domestic legal and religious affairs.
This latest alert from MURIC follows previous criticisms by the group aimed at the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for its characterization of the nation's security challenges. The consistent message from the Muslim rights body is that framing Nigeria's complex issues through a solely religious lens and inviting foreign intervention poses a grave threat to national stability and unity.
