Nigerian News

NSCIA condemns discrimination against Muslims in South-West

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, condemned the increasing discrimination and intolerance against the huge Muslim population in the South West region of the country.

In a statement on Wednesday, the NSCIA’s deputy national legal adviser, Haroun Eze, lamented the controversy and attacks faced by Muslims over the setting up of an independent Shariah [Arbitration] Panel.

The council, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, said the controversy was unwarranted, urging governors and traditional rulers to allow Muslims to live and practice their religion without persecution in every part of Nigeria.

“The most recent of this is the development emanating from Ekiti State, where the efforts of the Muslim community to set up an Independent Shariah [Arbitration] Panel was met with unwarranted resistance and objections from both political and traditional quarters.

“This is coming barely a few weeks after the announcement on the inauguration of a Shariah panel in Oyo State generated unnecessary anxiety, thereby leading to its indefinite postponement,” the NSCIA lamented.

The council explained that the independent panel is voluntary and meant to fill a vacuum in the legal system in the Southwest.

“This and other cases, such as the denial of the rights of female students to wear the hijab despite a Supreme Court judgement, are nothing but calculated attempts to prevent Muslims in the region from practicing their faith,” the NSCIA stated.

Mr Eze further explained that the arbitration and the Shariah Court of Appeal, just like the Customary Court of Appeal [which all of them have], are provided for in the 1999 Constitution [Section 275], confirming the legality of both initiatives.

“The NSCIA strongly supports the establishment of an Independent Shariah Arbitration Panel in Ekiti and Oyo States for the purpose so intended, especially where the Muslims in the states have been denied their constitutional right to a Shariah Court of Appeal in all the states of South-Western Nigeria.

“The Council cannot find any legal justification for the unnecessary alarm and unwarranted resistance. All the states in the North have Shariah Courts, and some, in addition, have Customary Courts.

“The Council calls on governors and traditional authorities in the southern part of the country, particularly the Southwest, to ensure that the constitutional rights of Muslims are preserved and protected.

“While others are allowed to live, Muslims should also be let live,” the NSCIA added.

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