Search
  1. Home
  2. West Africa
  3. Nigeria

Clerics call for harmony

    ABIDJAN

    Christian and Muslim leaders say the implementation of Sharia anywhere in Nigeria should not violate the freedom and the legitimate interests of non-Muslims as guaranteed by the constitution, ‘The Guardian’ newspaper reported on Wednesday.

    The recommendation came at the end of a recent two-day seminar on Sharia by the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC). NIREC noted in a communique that Muslims have the right to practise Sharia in accordance with the demands of their religion and within the provisions of the Constitution. However, it said it also appreciated fears by non-Muslims on the application of Islamic law, especially its provisions on apostasy and capital punishment.

    NIREC said although the practice of Sharia remained the right to every Muslim, it should not be extended to non-Muslims, ‘The Guardian’ reported.

    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

    Share this article

    Our ability to deliver compelling, field-based reporting on humanitarian crises rests on a few key principles: deep expertise, an unwavering commitment to amplifying affected voices, and a belief in the power of independent journalism to drive real change.

    We need your help to sustain and expand our work. Your donation will support our unique approach to journalism, helping fund everything from field-based investigations to the innovative storytelling that ensures marginalised voices are heard.

    Please consider joining our membership programme. Together, we can continue to make a meaningful impact on how the world responds to crises.

    Become a member of The New Humanitarian

    Support our journalism and become more involved in our community. Help us deliver informative, accessible, independent journalism that you can trust and provides accountability to the millions of people affected by crises worldwide.

    Join