Shari’ah Council Condemns Kukah’s Remarks Linking Islamic Law to Northern Violence
The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), Kaduna State Chapter, has strongly criticized comments made by Reverend Matthew Hassan Kukah, which reportedly linked the implementation of Shari’ah law in northern Nigeria to the region’s rising violence.
In a statement signed by its Secretary, Engr. AbdurRahman Hassan, the Council described the Catholic cleric’s remarks as “unfair and insensitive,” arguing that they misrepresent both the essence and historical significance of Shari’ah.
The SCSN maintained that Shari’ah, as practiced in northern states, “is not a political weapon but a reflection of faith, tradition, and moral discipline deeply rooted in the lives of millions of Muslims.”
The Council insisted that the true causes of insecurity in the North are socio-political, stemming from factors like corruption, poor governance, and societal inequality, rather than religion. Hassan stressed that Shari’ah predates colonial rule in Nigeria and remains an integral part of Muslim identity, noting, “It is therefore unfair and insensitive to attribute unrest to a system that millions of Nigerians follow peacefully and voluntarily.”
The SCSN warned against making statements that could inflame religious tensions, urging for mutual respect between Christian and Muslim leaders. Hassan emphasized the need for religious leaders to promote peace, stating, “No responsible Muslim scholar attacks Canon Law; likewise, no Christian cleric should insult Shari’ah.”
The Council went a step further, challenging Reverend Kukah to consider how Canon Law might function in Christian-majority states “to determine whether his objection to Shari’ah stems from principle or prejudice.” The statement concluded with a call for restraint and interfaith understanding, urging Nigerians to focus on good governance and national unity instead of demonizing any faith tradition.
