Muslim Group Rejects US Report, Says No Power Can Stop Sharia Practice

Muslim Group Rejects US Report, Says No Power Can Stop Sharia Practice

The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has dismissed a recent report by members of the United States Congress, insisting that no authority can compel Muslims in Nigeria to abandon the practice of Sharia law.

In a statement issued by its Secretary General, Nafiu Baba Ahmad, the Council faulted the report submitted to former US President Donald Trump by Congressman Riley Moore and Chris Smith, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa.

The US lawmakers had, after what they described as an investigation into the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria, recommended the repeal of Sharia and blasphemy laws, the establishment of a US–Nigeria security pact, and possible sanctions, including visa bans, against alleged violators.

The report described Sharia and blasphemy laws in parts of northern Nigeria as instruments used to suppress dissent and target minorities.

Reacting, the Council said the document painted a distorted picture of Nigeria and unfairly portrayed the country as a scene of what it termed “Christian genocide.”

“For clarity, Shariah constitutes a comprehensive way of life for Muslims, encompassing spiritual, moral, social, and legal dimensions. It is the divinely ordained framework through which Muslims regulate their personal and communal affairs,” the statement said.

The Council stressed that the operation of Sharia courts in Nigeria is backed by the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion. It explained that Sharia courts function within defined constitutional boundaries and their jurisdiction applies strictly to Muslims.

According to the Council, any attempt by foreign actors to criminalize or delegitimize Sharia practice amounts to interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs and undermines the country’s sovereignty.

“Nigeria is a sovereign, multi-religious nation with a plural legal system and complex security challenges. Simplistic and bias driven narratives imported from abroad do not advance peace or justice; rather, they risk inflaming tensions, deepening mistrust, and undermining peaceful coexistence,” the statement read.

The group also rejected claims that Nigeria’s security crisis amounts to a religious genocide, arguing that the violence affecting the country is driven by terrorism, banditry, organised crime and governance challenges, with both Muslims and Christians suffering casualties.

It condemned all acts of violence and expressed sympathy for victims across religious lines. “We mourn every innocent life lost and reject the politicization of human suffering,” the Council stated.

While calling on the Federal Government and state authorities to intensify efforts to tackle insecurity, the Council reiterated that the primary responsibility of government remains the protection of lives and property.

As Muslims observe Ramadan, the body urged the faithful to remain law-abiding and steadfast, and to pray for peace, unity and stability in Nigeria.

“Nigeria belongs to all of us. Our faith is not negotiable, our Constitution is clear, and our sovereignty must be respected by other nations and protected by our government,” the statement added.