From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
The Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Muslim Affairs and Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has called for the establishment of a Sharia Court of Appeal in the South West to cater for the judicial needs of Muslims in the region.
Oloyede made the call while responding to questions from newsmen at the Conference of the League of Imam and Alfas in Yorubaland, Edo, and Delta in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State. He argued that since there are a sizable number of Muslims in the western part of the country, it is fair to have a Sharia Court of Appeal to further adjudicate on Islamic laws.
“It is also important to note that it is a right that has been given to us in Nigeria’s constitution that we should have a Sharia Court of Appeal. There is a sizable number of Muslims in the Southwestern Nigeria, so in the interest of fairness, I don’t know why the state assemblies in Western Nigeria cannot propose for a Sharia Court of Appeal.
“We conduct our marriages, we conduct our inheritance, and we conduct personal things, we are talking about Islamic law, we are not talking about criminal law. Since the constitution of Nigeria allows it; many states have it; why shouldn’t we have our own? Another thing is that our voice must be heard, there should be clear evidence that the voice of Islam isn’t down unnecessarily. We want to make sure that we contribute to the development of Islam.”
On the issue of the wearing of Hijab by students, the former vice chancellor of the University of Ilorin argued that “nothing should stop Muslim ladies from appearing as Muslims even though they are pursuing Western education.”
He argued that there are cultures and certain features of Islam that should be preserved, stressing that Muslims should not be de-Islamised because of Western education.
According to him, “Muslims should be united, and there are certain things that have been critical to our existence; the cultures of Islam. We cannot be de-Islamised because we are in a country where we have certain features of Islam. For instance, nothing should stop our ladies as students in school from appearing as Muslims, because going for Western education shouldn’t de-Islamise them.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the President-General of the League of Imam and Alfas, Sheik Jamiu Kewulere, called for unity, cooperation, and mutual understanding among all the Muslim groups.
He stressed that only unity among the Muslims would foster development which is a reflection of the past Muslims.
The immediate past high commissioner to the United Kingdom, Sarafa Tunji Isola, who is also the Baba Adini of Muslims of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta, emphasised that unity among the Muslims was pertinent, noting that when Muslims are united it would also help the society to reduce whatever conflict that may arise out of division.
Isola expressed optimism that the conference would provide a reason to build and strengthen bonds and unity among the Muslims across the country.