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Northern state modifies Sharia

    ABIDJAN

    The governor of the northern state of Kaduna in Nigeria said on Wednesday that a modified form of Islamic Sharia law was being introduced.

    Governor Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi was quoted by 'The Guardian' newspaper of Lagos as saying that Sharia courts would co-exist with customary courts so that one religion would not have more weight than the other.

    "Sharia and customary courts would be put in place across the state on the basis of need to handle matters on the basis of faith, norms, customs and traditions of our people," the governor said. Nine Nigerian states have introduced or announced their intention to introduce Sharia, widening political rifts in the country. More than 1,000 people died in clashes between Christians and Muslims in Kaduna in February and May.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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