Bishops say action needed against Sharia

Bishops from English-speaking countries in West Africa told the Nigerian government it must act now against the imposition of strict Islamic laws in northern parts of the country before existing tensions deteriorate into a Muslim-Christian conflict and spill over into other states in the subregion.

In a communiqué issued on 30 August at the end of their ninth Plenary Assembly, the Association of Episcopal Conference of Anglophone West Africa said: “We urge the government of Nigeria to heed the loud and just opposition of the Nigerian Christians and others to the imposition ... of Sharia as state law.”
Since late 1999, 10 states have enforced strict Sharia in northern Nigeria.

Last week’s assembly was attended by delegates from the Vatican and several foreign partner organisations. Several priests and lay participants said they regarded the introduction of Sharia law as a “flagrant violation of the secular nature of the Nigerian nation”, the bishops said in their communiqué.

The punitive aspects of Sharia were first implemented in Zamfara State.
Under such laws Muslims have had had their limbs amputated for theft, or have been caned for adultery and other extramarital offences. The issue has lead to unrest between Christians and Muslims. When in 2000 Sharia was introduced into Kaduna State, which has near equal numbers of Christians and Muslims, 1,000 people died in sectarian clashes. Fearful northern Christians have complained that their constitutionally guaranteed freedoms have been threatened by Sharia and have continued to protest against its application.

“Its introduction has given rise to the trampling of the rights of innocent and law abiding citizens, leading to wanton destruction of life and property and the ugly phenomenon of refugees fleeing for their lives,” the bishops said in their communiqué.