As if on cue, after the Jihad Narratives Retreat that I reported on this Column last week, I had occasion to also attend the Annual Shura Meeting of the Supreme Council on Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) whose President, Dr. Ibrahim Datti Ahmad was some years ago the subject of many articles on this very page. For reminders, during the height of the Boko Haram crisis, it was revealed that Dr. Ahmad was one of the very few Muslim leaders the Jama’a were willing to negotiate with, being that its founder Muhammad Yusuf had great respect for the SCSN and its President. This Column had then urged Dr. Ahmad to accept the task, but his effort and those of others were frustrated by the then government. Below are excerpts of Dr. Ahmad’s Speech titled “Muslims, Politics and Democracy in Nigeria: The Pains and the Gains” at the occasion.
As you will no doubt recall, from the beginning the cardinal focus upon which our Council was founded has been the unity of the Ummah, and the defence of the legitimate rights and interests of Islam and Muslims in our country. We have remained the main umbrella Muslim organisation bringing together several groups across the country, and a rallying point of all the main organizations and Muslim leaders to ensure good governance and justice to all, of course with emphasis on redressing persisting issues of injustices to Muslims.
Despite our humble achievements, the set objectives of the Council are yet to be fully realized. Consequently, considering the huge challenges the Ummah is facing in the country, it is apparent that a more concerted collective effort would have to be taken. There is therefore the urgent demand to evaluate and re-strategize on the means and methods to adopt in addressing the numerous challenges holistically, and other emerging trends in our ever-changing society.
Since the return of democracy in 1999, and the effort to re-introduce the Shari’ah legal system in some states, a lot has happened that impacted both negatively and positively on the Ummah. This year’s meeting is geared towards x-raying the strengths and weaknesses of the Muslims under the current Muslim leadership, the politics, the pains and gains; identify mistakes and discuss on the way forward for Islam and Muslims in Nigeria.
As early as 2001 after the establishment of the Council, we realized the need to actively get involved in national politics altruistically, to facilitate the emergence of credible Muslim leaders who will at least ensure fairness and, hopefully, through a practical demonstration of the noble attributes and good manners Islam teaches,

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