Sharia Law Application Reduces Crimes, Says MMWG

The Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWG) has stated that the application of Sharia Law has led to a reduction in crimes in countries where it is practiced. The group described Sharia Law as a divine instrument of peace, designed by God to bring security and harmony to all.

In a response to the controversy surrounding the establishment of a Sharia Panel in Ekiti State, the MMWG emphasized that Sharia is a part of Nigeria’s legal framework, having been entrenched in the Nigerian Constitution. It pointed out that Sharia had been in operation in Nigeria even before colonial rule and was retained in subsequent Nigerian constitutions post-independence in 1960.

The group explained that the Sharia Arbitration Panel recently set up by the Muslim community in Ekiti, under the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), is intended solely for the arbitration of Muslim family matters, promoting peace, stability, and family well-being in the state.

In a statement signed by MMWG national secretary, Dr. Nasir Balogun, and the deputy coordinator in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ustaz Mohammed Azare, the group denounced statements from some non-Muslim leaders in Ekiti, who spread rumors about the panel and suggested it could cause unrest. They referred to this opposition as an act of religious intolerance and fanaticism.

The MMWG also highlighted that Sharia Arbitration Panels have been functioning peacefully in other parts of the Southwest, such as Osun and Oyo States, without any issues. The group called for religious tolerance, urging all Nigerians to show understanding and respect for the diverse religious practices in the country.