The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has said that no power can compel Nigerian Muslims to abandon the practice of Shari’ah.
The council was responding to a U.S. Congress committee report, submitted to President Donald Trump, which cited Shari’ah and blasphemy laws as major concerns and recommended their repeal.
Nafiu Baba Ahmad, mni, the Secretary General of the SCSN, stated that the U.S. report inaccurately painted Nigeria as a hub for “Christian genocide” and unfairly questioned the fundamental rights of Nigerian Muslims to practice their faith.
The council emphasized that Shari’ah is a comprehensive way of life for Muslims, encompassing spiritual, moral, social, and legal aspects, and constitutes a divinely ordained framework for their personal and communal affairs.
The SCSN said the Nigerian Constitution guarantees the practice of Shari’ah, upholding freedom of religion and allowing adherents to conduct personal matters in accordance with their faith.
They clarified that Shari’ah courts operate within constitutional boundaries, with jurisdiction exclusively over Muslims. “Any external attempt to criminalize, delegitimize, or dictate how Nigerian Muslims practice their religion, the Council argued, undermines Nigeria’s sovereignty, constitutional order, and the principle of religious freedom,” it said.
While rejecting external interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs, the SCSN warned that “simplistic and bias-driven narratives imported from abroad” do not foster peace or justice, but rather risk escalating tensions and eroding trust.
The council also reiterated its dismissal of the “Christian genocide” narrative, describing it as a misrepresentation of Nigeria’s security challenges. They stressed that violence in the nation stems from terrorism, banditry, organized crime, and governance failures, impacting both Muslim and Christian communities. Framing the tragedy as a one-sided religious genocide is, according to the SCSN, inaccurate and unhelpful.
While condemning all forms of killings and bloodshed, the council urged the federal and state governments to decisively tackle insecurity, fulfilling their fundamental duty to protect lives and property and restore public confidence through justice and accountability.
As Muslims observe Ramadan, the SCSN called on the Ummah to intensify prayers for peace, security, justice, and unity in Nigeria, urging continued adherence to the law, steadfastness in faith, and commitment to peaceful coexistence with all Nigerians.
The council affirmed that Nigeria belongs to all its citizens, their faith is non-negotiable, the Constitution is clear, and the nation’s sovereignty must be respected globally and protected domestically.
