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Tens of thousands of Muslims chanting Islamic slogans gathered in the central square in the northern city of Kano on Wednesday to welcome the official proclamation of Sharia in the state, news organisations reported.
The crowd, made up almost exclusively of young men, appeared to be peaceful, the BBC reported. However, its sheer size prevented the governor of Kano State from reaching the stage to deliver his speech which was later relayed from State House.
Although Islamic law has now been officially adopted by Kano, it will not be implemented for several months, probably around the beginning of Ramadan in early December, the BBC reported the governor as saying. This is because the state lacks the courts and judges to enforce the law.
The atmosphere in the prodominantly Christian and non-indigene area of Kano city known as Sabon Gari was “tense and quiet,” the BBC reported. Shops were barricaded, businesses closes and people stayed at home.
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