MUSLIM RIGHTS CONCERN (MURIC)
هيئة حقوق المسلمين
MOTTO: DIALOGUE, NOT
VIOLENCE
6th November, 2025
PRESS RELEASE
MURIC SLAMS US COMMENTS ON SHARI'AH AND NORTHERN
GOVERNORS
As tension grows between Nigeria and the United States, some US
legislators have demanded the abrogation of Shari'ah law in Nigeria. 12
northern governors have also been threatened with sanctions.
Meanwhile a prominent faith-based rights advocacy group has slammed
comments on the Shari'ah coming from the US as unguarded, undemocratic and
demagogic.
The full details:
"In the heat of tension between Nigeria and the United States,
some US legislators have demanded the abrogation of Shari'ah law in Nigeria (https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/832250-u-s-senator-ted-cruz-pushes-bill-against-sharia-blasphemy-laws-in-nigeria.html).
"In addition, 12 northern governors have been threatened with
sanctions (https://politicsnigeria.com/just-in-u-s-moves-to-sanction-12-northern-governors-judges-traditional-rulers/).
"We reject attempts by US legislators to impose
American value system on Muslims around the world, including Nigerian Muslims.
The negative comments about the Islamic legal system coming from the US are, at
best,
unguarded, undemocratic and demagogic.
"Our position is based on the core principles of
democracy which the US claims to be championing, viz, majority rule, participatory
citizenry and the rule of law but which US current behavior and pronouncements
on Nigeria feverishly castigate.
"In the first place, the states practicing Shari'ah in Nigeria
followed due process before introducing it. Shari'ah is being used in those
states as Islam is the religion of the overwhelming majority.
"Secondly, that overwhelming majority is actively
participating in the application of Shari'ah in the states and there has never
been any complaint from them.
"Thirdly, as a bastion of the rule of law, democracy accepts
any set of rules agreed upon by the majority of their representatives.
Incidentally, Shari'ah was introduced via the Houses of Assembly following
global standards of legislative proceedings in all the states where it was
passed into law.
"At that point, Shari'ah became the rule of law in
those states. Any attempt, therefore, by a foreign legislature to abrogate it
through extra-judicial and alien interpretation will be regarded as undue
interference in the affairs of a sovereign country and a breach of
international law. This will defeat the ideals of democracy, deface the values
of the rule of law and bastardize the essence of free speech, liberty and
humanity. In particular, this stand of the US constitutes a humongous threat to
world peace.
"By
the same token, MURIC denounces threats issued to the 12 northern governors.
These governors were elected in free, fair and credible elections attested to
by international election observers in line with global best practices. They
are the legitimate rulers of their states. US threats directed at the governors
constitute an unacceptable assault on the Nigerian electoral process and a
desecration of the dignity of the culture of Northern Nigeria.
"We therefore call on US lawmakers to allow Nigerian democracy
to thrive. Leave Northern lawmakers alone. Shari'ah is the free choice of
Nigerian Muslims. There must be no obstruction of access to justice. We assert
clearly, unequivocally and categorically that Shari'ah is the Muslim way of
life. We strongly condemn US attempts to harass, coerce and intimidate Northern
state actors over Shari'ah. "
#LeaveShariahAlone
#USStopharrassingNorthernGovernors
"LetNigeriaBreathe
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Executive Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
