The National Missioner and Chief Imam of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdulrahman Ahmad, has attributed the opposition to Sharia law in Nigeria to ignorance and prejudice. Speaking in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH on Monday, Sheikh Ahmad argued that Sharia, which has been practiced for decades in parts of the country, particularly in the North, has often been misunderstood and misrepresented.
The cleric noted that the resistance to Sharia is primarily rooted in a lack of understanding of its principles and a prejudiced perception of its intentions. “I think people oppose it for two reasons: either prejudice or ignorance. Ignorance because they don’t know what it entails,” Sheikh Ahmad stated during the telephone interview.
Sheikh Ahmad emphasized that Sharia law is not an imposition but rather a legal framework that aligns with the personal and cultural convictions of Muslims. He explained that the Nigerian Constitution explicitly provides for the establishment of Sharia courts to address personal matters for Muslims, including marriage, divorce, inheritance, and child custody.
“What we must know is that there is a provision in the Nigerian Constitution for Muslims to have Sharia courts if they want. The Sharia court, as presently constituted, applies to what they call Muslim Personal Law—marriage, divorce, inheritance, custody of children, and so on. This is what the Sharia court is about,” Sheikh Ahmad clarified.
He also revealed that Sharia arbitration panels have been successfully operating in Lagos for over two decades without controversy. According to him, these panels have provided a much-needed avenue for Muslims to resolve personal issues in accordance with their faith, and extending this framework to other parts of the South-West is only logical and constitutional.
The cleric’s remarks come amidst heightened tensions over plans by the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs to inaugurate Sharia arbitration panels across South-Western states, including Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ondo, and Ekiti. The announcement has sparked a clash between Christian and Muslim leaders, with Christian groups expressing strong opposition to the move.
While proponents of the initiative insist that the panels are meant to address issues exclusively among the Muslim Ummah, critics argue that such developments could deepen religious divides in the region.
Sheikh Ahmad urged Nigerians to approach the issue of Sharia with objectivity rather than emotion. He highlighted the need to separate personal biases and sentiments from facts, stressing that Sharia is neither a threat nor a tool for division but a system that reflects the religious and cultural diversity of Nigeria.
“Muslims are calling for a system that recognizes the uniqueness of their situation—that personal matters should be judged according to their convictions,” the cleric stated. “People should not bring sentiment into it. We must bring the facts.”
Sharia law has long been a sensitive topic in Nigeria’s multi-religious society. While it is constitutionally permitted for Muslims to practice Sharia in personal matters, opposition often arises from fears of potential overreach or implications for non-Muslim communities.
Proponents of the initiative in the South-West argue that the panels are designed purely for arbitration among Muslims and do not seek to interfere with the rights of non-Muslims. However, Sheikh Ahmad acknowledged that bridging the gap between perception and reality would require more public education about the scope and purpose of Sharia law.
As tensions over the proposed Sharia arbitration panels continue, stakeholders are being urged to engage in constructive dialogue to foster mutual understanding and respect. Sheikh Ahmad’s call for Nigerians to rise above ignorance and prejudice serves as a timely reminder of the importance of unity in diversity.
Whether the South-West’s Sharia initiative will proceed without further contention remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the conversation surrounding it has reignited debates about religious and constitutional rights in Nigeria, underscoring the need for continued discourse on coexistence and inclusivity.
PIONEER NEWS 