Nigerian Islamic Scholars have shown their support and solidarity for Justice Muhammad Tanko, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) who called for an amendment of the constitution to include Sharia Law. They argued that the call does not imply an Islamization agenda for the nation as wrongly insinuated by Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA)
According to David Noibi, Retired Professor of Islamic Studies, University of Ibadan and former Executive Secretary, Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN), “Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution as ammended guarantees freedom of religion both in belief and in practice. The whole life of a Muslim is governed by the laws of his religion. Therefore, it is the duty of the nation to provide for a judicial system whereby the relevant laws are interpreted correctly and disputes among adherents arising from such laws are resolved peacefully,”
He further said “there are provisions in the constitution for the establishment of Shari’ah courts anywhere this is required in the country to cater to the needs of Muslim citizens. If HURIWA and CAN are not asking that these provisions be expunged from the constitution, why do they want to crucify the CJN for calling for the improvement of the Shari’ah as other laws in force in the country are open to improvement?
“In what way is the improvement of the application of the Shari’ah for Muslims in Nigeria offensive to non-Muslims? And in what way does it constitute a violation of the provision of Section 10 of the constitution which prohibits the adoption of a state religion by the State?”
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“Let them bear in mind that Muslims are aware of the fact the Saturday- Sunday weekend imposed on all of us by our Christian colonizers satisfies the religious needs of only Nigerian Christian’s. Yet, Muslims are not complaining. So, let non-Muslim citizens of Nigerian cultivate the spirit of “Live and let live”.
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