Babatunji Wusu –
- Prominent Muslim clerics in South West Nigeria have declared that Shari’ah principles do not apply to non-Muslims.
- The clerics emphasized that Shari’ah courts are meant for Muslims or parties seeking adjudication under Shari’ah principles.
- They clarified that the establishment of Shari’ah courts should not be seen as an attempt to Islamize Nigeria or infringe on non-Muslims’ rights.
- The establishment of “Independent Shari’ah Panels” in South West states is seen as a way to resolve Muslim disputes where Shari’ah law is not otherwise recognized in the judiciary.
Prominent Muslim clerics and scholars in the South West region of Nigeria have issued a statement clarifying that the application of Shari’ah principles is strictly for Muslims and not applicable to non-Muslims. This declaration was made during a press conference in Ibadan, Oyo State, organized by the Concerned Yoruba Muslim Scholars in Nigeria and the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria.
The conference was attended by notable figures such as Professor Daud Noibi, former Executive Secretary of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Professor Isiaq Akintola of Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), and Professor Abideen Olaiya, General Secretary of Concerned Yoruba Muslim Scholars in Nigeria. Sheikh AbdurRasheed Hadiyatullahi, President of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, and Sheikh Abdurrasheed Mayaleeke, Chairman of the Concerned Yoruba Muslim Scholars in Nigeria, addressed the media on behalf of the scholars.
The clerics explained that Shari’ah courts were established exclusively for Muslims and individuals who voluntarily choose to be adjudicated according to Shari’ah principles. They stressed that non-Muslims, or anyone who does not wish to adhere to Shari’ah principles, should not be concerned as these courts are not binding on them. They further clarified that the creation of Shari’ah courts should not be interpreted as a threat to non-Muslims’ rights or an agenda to Islamize Nigeria.
The clerics also provided context for the establishment of “Independent Shari’ah Panels,” an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanism set up in the South West states after failed attempts to convince state governments to establish Shari’ah Courts of Appeal. These panels were created to address Muslim disputes in a manner consistent with Shari’ah law, filling a gap in the judiciary where no court had jurisdiction over matters of Islamic personal law. The clerics highlighted that the Supreme Court had previously ruled that neither the High Court nor the Customary Court had jurisdiction over civil matters of Islamic personal law, further justifying the need for these Shari’ah arbitration panels.
In summary, the clerics emphasized that Shari’ah courts and arbitration panels are purely for Muslims and those who voluntarily seek Shari’ah-based adjudication, reinforcing that such practices are in line with Nigeria’s legal framework and do not infringe on the rights of non-Muslims.
