Shari’ah is a Global Legal Tradition, Does not Threaten the Unity and Stability of Nigeria _ Says Danmaliki
By Abbas Usman, Bauchi
A traditional little holder popularly known as Hon. Aminu Mohammed Danmalikin Bauçhi, has blamed Nigerian Christian activists, describing them as unpatriotic retrogressive and enemies of peace and stability for discrediting the practice of Shariah law in Nigeria before a joint Session of American Congress.
Danmalikin Bauçhi who condemned this singular act by the Christian activists in a Press Conference held in his Bauchi office on Sunday, where he said their intention is to cause a serious rift between the Muslims and Christians leaving in peace and harmony as brothers and sisters in the Country.
According to the traditionalist, ” Not too long ago the Christian activists went to the same Congress in the US and lied to them that there is genocide going on against Christian minority in Nigeria, “thank God” they failed in their attempt to set Nigeria Muslims against the World, surely they will again fail in their crusade against Muslims and its Shari’ah law in Nigeria”.
He assured the Christian crusaders that the Shari’ah law practised in Northern Nigeria, is not a threat to any non – Muslim. “Rather it is a humane, rights – based legal tradition whose influence shaped not only the Muslims world but the Western world including the foundations of English and American common law”, he explained.
Aminu Danlamiki, who spoke on behalf of Muslim Ummah in Nigeria, informed that majority of Muslims expressed concern over the action as it is an effort to create conflict between Muslims and Christians, but as previous false claims of “Christian genocide” in Nigeria were rejected internationally. So also the issue of interfering with Shari’ah system in Nigeria will fail.
He said “Shariah is a constitutional right of Nigerian Muslims and has no impact on non-Muslims, who cannot be prosecuted under it and are not compelled to appear before Shariah courts”.
He confirmed that many Christians take advantage of Shariah courts to claim their rights from Muslims because they believed the system is faster, clearer, effective and more transparent.
“Historically, Shariah is shown to be a humane, rights-based legal system that influenced Western civilization.
“Scholars such as John Makdisi have demonstrated Islamic contributions to English common law, including contract enforcement, property recovery, and the jury system, none of which came from Roman or Anglo-Saxon law.
“Similarly, early American institutions, including the U.S. Supreme Court and Congress, recognised Islamic law as advanced, rational, and protective of civil rights.
“In Nigeria, Shariah coexists with common law and customary law. The system is not a threat to national unity but part of Nigeria’s multicultural legal structure. Its core values, justice, equity, due process, protection of life and property, and checks on power—have shaped global legal thinking”
Danmaliki stated that attacks on Shariah usually come as political fears and Western misunderstandings that paint Islam with stereotypes rather than historical facts calling on Nigerian scholars, leaders, and media to correct these distortions.”
“Shariah is not backward or unconstitutional; it is a respected global legal tradition, a constitutional right for Muslims, and a contributor to justice and stability in Nigeria,” he sad.
“ It is system admired by medieval England and acknowledged by early American jurists cannot suddenly be dismissed as unfit for Nigerian Muslims.
“Nigeria is strongest when all communities practice their faith freely and its diverse legal systems work together for justice and dignity”
