Islamic law takes effect in Zamfara

Islamic law formally took effect in the northern Nigerian state of Zamfara on Thursday when its governor, Ahmad Sani, signed into law two bills proclaiming the legal system and swore in judges for newly created Sharia courts. Under the controversial legal system that Sani first adopted for the state in October 1999, Muslims are required to use Sharia courts for civil and criminal matters while non-Muslims would use magistrates and high courts. “Today’s signing of the bills into law marks the beginning of Sharia jurisprudence in terms of both civil and penal matters,” Sani said at the signing ceremony in the state capital, Gusau. “We also guarantee the rights of non-Muslims as provided by the constitution ... and also as Muslims whom Almighty Allah has instructed to be fair to all people.” The adoption of the Islamic legal system which previously applied in Nigeria only to personal matters now has criminal jurisdiction and penalties may include the amputation of limbs and decapitation. Sharia has generated widespread controversy in Africa’s most populous country of more than 108 million people split almost evenly between Muslims and non-Muslims - mainly Christians. While Muslims have applauded the decision of Zamfara State, which is being rapidly followed by several states in Nigeria’s mainly Muslim north, many Christians have expressed apprehension over the likely impact on their rights. The controversy over Sharia has heightened tension in multi- ethnic Nigeria which has witnessed a series of ethnic clashes since President Olusegun Obasanjo took office in May 1999 to end more than 15 years of military rule.