The Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has reaffirmed that Shari’ah remains a core aspect of Muslim life in Nigeria, insisting it will not be discarded under pressure from the United States or Christian groups.
Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC’s executive director, criticized calls for the US to influence President Bola Tinubu to ban Shari’ah and the Hisbah, saying such appeals cross a “red line” and raise questions about Washington’s true motives in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts.
Akintola specifically described Dr Ebenezer Obadare’s suggestion for US intervention as “mischievous, reactionary, and outlandish,” warning that any move to abolish Shari’ah would be perceived as a direct attack on Islam.
He added that “Shari’ah is the Muslims’ way of life. It cannot be separated from Islam.”
“We fought hard to establish it, and its foundation is deeply entrenched in legality, constitutionality and democratic values.”
“The moment anyone attempts to touch our Shari’ah, we begin to see him seeking to eliminate Islam in its totality. Our advice is this: don’t go there. It is the red line.”
“This call raises more questions than answers and casts doubt on the intention of the United States in its interest in Nigeria’s war on terror.”
“It amounts to surrendering Nigeria’s sovereignty. It constitutes an affront to the Nigerian constitution. It is therefore a no-go area for either the US or the Nigerian government.”
“Nigerian Muslims will continue to support President Tinubu in his war on terrorist groups as long as there are clear lines of demarcation. But Nigerian Muslims are not fools.
“The story will definitely change if any government, local or foreign, makes any attempt to outlaw our hard-earned Shari’ah.” He concluded.