Concerned Islamic scholars across the country have thrown their weights behind the suggestions of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Muhammad Tanko, calling for the improvement of the status of the Shari’ah law in Nigeria through the amendment of the relevant sections of the constitution.

The Muslim leaders berated the outcry that followed the suggestion and emphasised for the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) that Sharia law does not necessarily mean Islamisation of Nigeria, as wrongly insinuated.

Former Executive Secretary, Muslim Ummah of southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN) and Retired Prof. of Islamic Studies, University of Ibadan, Prof. Dawud Noibi, said: “Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution as ammended guarantees freedom of religion both in belief and in practice. The whole life of a Muslim is governed by the laws of his religion. Therefore, it is the duty of the nation to provide for a judicial system whereby the relevant laws are interpreted correctly and disputes among adherents arising from such laws are resolved peacefully,”

Besides, he noted that, “there are provisions in the constitution for the establishment of Shari’ah courts anywhere this is required in the country to cater to the needs of Muslim citizens. If HURIWA and CAN are not asking that these provisions be expunged from the constitution, why do they want to crucify the CJN for calling for the improvement of the Shari’ah as other laws in force in the country are open to improvement?

“In what way is the improvement of the application of the Shari’ah for Muslims in Nigeria offensive to non-Muslims? And in what way does it constitute a violation of the provision of Section 10 of the constitution which prohibits the adoption of a state religion by the State?

“Let them bear in mind that Muslims are aware of the fact the Saturday- Sunday weekend imposed on all of us by our Christian colonizers satisfies the religious needs of only Nigerian Christian’s. Yet, Muslims are not complaining. So, let non-Muslim citizens of Nigerian cultivate the spirit of “Live and let live”.

He however urged the National Assembly to take quick action on the suggestion to strengthen Sharia law and do the needful.

Director, MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, supported the CJN, noting that the current constitution is a child of British colonial Christianisation of the country, which has failed to take into consideration the multi-religious.

He said: “The system we run in this country is not only alien to Muslim culture, it has marginalised the Muslim population. Our democracy is deceptive in as much as Muslims who form the largest segment of the population are not integrated into the system. Participatory democracy is the global best practice. But not in Nigeria.

“Nigeria’s democracy excludes the Muslims. Our weekends shut Muslims out. It is the entire monopoly of Christians. Saturday and Sunday are free but Friday is not. The Muslim girl-child goes to school with tears in her eyes because she must not enter the school with hijab on her head. There is no single Shariah Appeal Court in the entire South West and Muslims in that sub-region are subjected to Christian common law in all civil matters. Muslim marriages conducted inside mosques are not recognised but those held in churches are sacrosanct. This democracy is fraudulent.

“Christian women enjoy the monopoly of recruitment into the army, navy, police, civil defence, traffic wardens, immigrations, customs, etc but Muslim women cannot because those uniformed agencies will not recruit users of hijab. Yet Muslim police women and soldiers use hijab in Britain, United States, Ireland, etc. Female Muslim graduates therefore remain jobless and impoverished while their Christian counterparts smile to the banks.

“MURIC therefore embraces the CJN’s idea of the need for constitutional amendment. It is even belated. It is part of restructuring. We hope the restructuring camp will welcome the CJN’s idea because it is not going to be about Muslim demands alone but a comprehensive one. We call for objectivity in this matter. Those who always oppose anything which is likely to benefit Muslims are urged to consider this initiative with an open mind. Constitutional amendment has all the potentials to usher in peace and tranquillity if we approach it with sincerity,” he stated.

BuhariAdvocate:
All these yeye people should take their religious matter go somewhere else.

gaetano:


Buhari went to bring someone that studied sharia law, and made him CJN in a secular Nigeria, what do you expect?

Hes angry that some Muslims are forced to work on Friday and resting on a Christian holy day which is Sunday. Lol! As if northern states don't already operate with the Islamic calender.

Make dem try any nonsense and watch the country split sharply. It's clear buhari is here to complete what Usman Dan fodio started long ago.

BuhariAdvocate:
But the action of the president was constitutional.

GamalNasser:
Just imagine what the Chief Judge of a Secular Nation is saying ...How did we get to such a level where human species who ought to have been forgotten in the 15th century are her leading Nigeria in the 21st Century

GamalNasser:
Just imagine what the Chief Judge of a Secular Nation is saying ...How did we get to such a level where human species who ought to have been forgotten in the 15th century are her leading Nigeria in the 21st Century

gaetano:
Buhari went to bring someone that studied sharia law, and made him CJN in a secular Nigeria, what do you expect?

He's angry that some Muslims are made to work on Friday and resting on a Christian holy day which is Sunday. Lol! As if northern states don't already operate with the Islamic calender.

Make dem try any nonsense and watch the country split sharply. It's clear buhari is here to complete what Usman Dan fodio started long ago.

Racoon:
It's not your fault but that of the most bigoted, clannish, religious fanatic and ethnic supremacist President Nigeria has ever had who illegally put you in the CJN position.

The core northern muslim military clique of the post 1966 era & IBB(OIC) who forcefully imposed the Islamic divide & rule pattern of govt hence have continued to maintained this aberrant trend via the rotating musical coup plotting chair are to be blame.

Even the likes of Ahmed Sani Yerima(former Zamfara State Governor), Ahmed Markafir(Kaduna) who initially championed the sharia debacle have to abandon it because of the widespread crisis it generated.

Only the likes of the current ruler Nigeria have today that have been the grand-patron of hausa-fulani hegemony choose to resurrect this nerve-triggering issue by spurning the constitutional provisions for federal character hence balance representation in govt.It will surely pass.

voltron14:
They did make valid points unless you wish to be hypocritical.

orisa37:





Nonsense Talk Sharia law affects the Rights of only the relevant Individuals in the Society. You are to interpret the Constitution as presently convenient and not to introduce complicated personal opinion.

orisa37:
Nonsense Talk Sharia law affects the Rights of only the relevant Individuals in the Society. You are to interpret the Constitution as presently convenient and not to introduce complicated personal opinion.

Henry22:


I agree with what you just said but is it a crime if they have there own country upnorth and middle belt? So they can practice all the nonsense they feel like practicing, they can even resurrect Muhammed if they want and no one will cough.