SCSN rejects US Congress report, defends constitutional right to practice Shariah
The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has rejected a recent report submitted to the United States Congress, which allegedly described Nigeria as a theatre of “Christian genocide” and
The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has rejected a recent report submitted to the United States Congress, which allegedly described Nigeria as a theatre of “Christian genocide” and questioned the constitutional right of Muslims to practice Shariah.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Council described the report as inaccurate and biased, insisting that it unfairly portrayed Nigeria’s complex security situation through a distorted religious lens.
The Council maintained that Shariah remains a comprehensive way of life for Muslims, covering spiritual, moral, social, and legal dimensions, and cannot be relinquished due to external pressure, misinformation, or political intimidation.
According to the statement signed by its Secretary General, Nafiu Baba Ahmad, Shariah practice in Nigeria is guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which upholds freedom of religion and allows adherents to regulate personal matters in line with their faith.
The SCSN stressed that Shariah courts operate within constitutional limits and that their jurisdiction applies exclusively to Muslims, arguing that any attempt to criminalize or delegitimize the practice amounts to an affront on Nigeria’s sovereignty and constitutional order.
It further warned against external interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs, noting that the country is a sovereign, multi-religious nation with a plural legal system and complex security challenges.
The Council also dismissed the narrative of “Christian genocide” as false and misleading, saying it misrepresents the nature of Nigeria’s security crisis and detracts from efforts to address the real causes of violence.
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It attributed the violence in the country to terrorism, banditry, organized criminality, and governance deficits, adding that both Muslims and Christians have suffered losses in the protracted insecurity.
While expressing concern over the government’s handling of security challenges, the Council said authorities must do more to protect lives and property and restore public confidence through justice and accountability.
The SCSN unequivocally condemned all killings and bloodshed across the country, regardless of the identity of victims or perpetrators, and cautioned against politicizing human suffering.
It called on the Federal Government and state authorities to act decisively to end insecurity, reiterating that protecting citizens remains the fundamental duty of government.
As Muslims observe the holy month of Ramadan, the Council urged the Ummah to intensify prayers and acts of righteousness for peace, security, and unity in Nigeria, while reaffirming that Nigeria belongs to all its citizens and that its constitutional provisions and sovereignty must be respected.