The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has issued a forceful rejection of recent recommendations by United States Congressmen Riley Moore and Chris Smith, which called on Nigeria to repeal Sharia and blasphemy laws.
In a statement, SCSN Secretary General Nafiu Baba Ahmad declared that no external authority can make Nigerian Muslims relinquish the practice of Shariah, which he described as “the divinely ordained framework through which Muslims regulate their personal and communal affairs.”
Key Points from the Council’s Response:
Β· On US Demands: The Council rejected what it termed “external interference” and “simplistic, bias-driven narratives” that risk inflaming tensions and undermining peaceful coexistence.
Β· On the “Christian Genocide” Narrative: The SCSN dismissed the claim as “false,” arguing that Nigeria’s security crisis stems from terrorism, banditry, organized criminality, and governance deficits that have claimed the lives of “Muslims and Christians alike.”
Β· On Shariah’s Legality: The Council insisted the practice of Shariah is clearly guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution, which permits adherents to conduct personal matters in accordance with their faith within the bounds of the law.
Β· On Sovereignty: The statement emphasized that attempts to dictate how Nigerian Muslims practice their religion undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty and constitutional order.
The Council also mourned all innocent lives lost to violence and reiterated its call on the government to act decisively to end insecurity, which it described as the fundamental duty of any government.