By DAYO ADESULU
The debate over Shariah practice in Nigeria has taken a fresh international dimension as the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) firmly rejected a recent report by the United States Congress.
In a strongly worded response issued on Thursday, the council declared that no authority—local or foreign—can compel Muslims to abandon Shariah, insisting that its application remains constitutionally protected within Nigeria’s legal framework.
The statement, signed by the council’s Secretary General, Nafiu Baba Ahmad, came after a committee report submitted to former US President Donald Trump raised concerns over Shariah codes and blasphemy laws in parts of northern Nigeria.
Council Rejects US Congress Report
The US congressional report reportedly followed an investigation into allegations of persecution of Christians in Nigeria. It described Shariah and anti-blasphemy laws as problematic and recommended their repeal. Furthermore, it proposed a potential US–Nigeria security pact and suggested sanctions against individuals accused of religious rights violations.
However, the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria dismissed the document as misleading. According to the council, the report falsely portrayed Nigeria as a country experiencing what it described as a “Christian genocide.”
The council argued that such characterisation distorts the complex realities surrounding insecurity in Nigeria. It also stressed that external actors must avoid oversimplifying the country’s multifaceted security and religious landscape.
Shariah Practice in Nigeria “Beyond Criminal Law”
While reacting to the controversy, the SCSN emphasised that Shariah practice in Nigeria extends far beyond criminal law. It described Shariah as a comprehensive way of life that governs spiritual, moral, social and legal matters for Muslims.
“For clarity,” the statement read, “Shariah constitutes a complete framework for Muslim life. It regulates personal and communal affairs in accordance with divine injunctions.”
Importantly, the council clarified that Shariah courts in Nigeria operate strictly within constitutional boundaries. They apply only to Muslims who voluntarily submit to their jurisdiction. According to the council, non-Muslims are neither subject to nor compelled by Shariah provisions.
Therefore, the SCSN maintained that Shariah practice in Nigeria does not violate constitutional guarantees. Instead, it operates within the plural legal system recognised by the Nigerian Constitution.
Constitution Guarantees Religious Freedom
Citing constitutional provisions, the council reaffirmed that Nigeria guarantees freedom of religion. It argued that Muslims, like adherents of other faiths, retain the right to organise their personal and communal lives in line with their beliefs.
The statement warned that any attempt to criminalise or delegitimise Shariah practice in Nigeria amounts to interference in the country’s sovereignty. It further described calls for repeal from foreign bodies as external overreach into Nigeria’s internal affairs.
“Nigeria is a sovereign, multi-religious nation with a plural legal structure,” the council said. “Our constitutional order protects religious practice, and that must be respected.”
Violence Not a Religious Genocide, Says Council
Addressing the broader issue of insecurity, the SCSN rejected claims that Nigeria’s crisis reflects a one-sided religious genocide. Instead, it attributed violence to terrorism, banditry, organised criminal networks and governance challenges.
According to the council, both Muslims and Christians have suffered casualties in attacks across various regions of the country. Consequently, it urged observers to avoid politicising human suffering along religious lines.
“We unequivocally condemn all killings and bloodshed across Nigeria,” the statement declared. “We mourn every innocent life lost and reject attempts to exploit tragedy for political narratives.”
Although the council criticised government responses to insecurity, it insisted that framing Nigeria’s security challenges solely as religious persecution oversimplifies the reality on ground.
Call for Government Action and Peaceful Coexistence
While defending Shariah practice in Nigeria, the council also directed attention toward urgent governance priorities. It called on federal and state authorities to strengthen security measures nationwide.
According to the SCSN, protecting lives and property remains the primary constitutional duty of government. Therefore, it urged leaders to focus less on external debates and more on decisive action against criminality.
In addition, the council appealed to Muslims—especially during the Ramadan period—to remain law-abiding and committed to peaceful coexistence with fellow citizens of other faiths.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us,” the statement concluded. “Our faith is not negotiable. Our Constitution is clear. Our sovereignty must be respected by other nations and protected by our government.”
Renewed Spotlight on Shariah Practice in Nigeria
The controversy has once again placed Shariah practice in Nigeria under global scrutiny. Yet, within the country, the issue remains intertwined with constitutional rights, federalism, and religious plurality.
As debates continue, stakeholders across religious, legal and political lines are expected to weigh in. For now, however, the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria has drawn a firm line—declaring that no external pressure can override what it views as constitutionally guaranteed religious practice.
The unfolding discourse highlights a deeper tension between international human rights advocacy and domestic constitutional autonomy. Whether diplomatic engagement will ease the strain remains to be seen.
What is certain, however, is that the debate over Shariah practice in Nigeria is far from over.
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