SHARI’AH LAW SPREADING TO SOUTH-WEST

NIGERIA

3 May 2002

Attempts are underway to implement Islamic Shari’ah law among the Muslim community in the state of Oyo in the South-West of Nigeria. This is the first occasion on which the adoption of full Shari’ah law has been proposed in the majority-Christian South of Nigeria.

Following the refusal of the Oyo state government to implement Shari’ah law officially, Muslim groups announced on April 30 that they would adopt Shari’ah law on a civil basis. The announcement was followed by a peaceful demonstration by Muslim youths carrying placards including ones that read “We want Shari’ah in Oyo”. A panel of Islamic scholars will adjudicate cases. Although this panel has no legal status, Muslims would be encouraged to bring cases before it and accept its rulings. Those who refused do to so could face ostracism by the Muslim community. The population of the area is mainly from the Yoruba people and there has historically been peaceful co-existence between the Muslim minority and the Christians in this region.

Tensions provoked by the adoption of full Shari’ah law in twelve states in Northern Nigerian led to riots which killed 1,200 people in Kaduna State in February and May 2000. Similar violence in Jos in September 2001 led to the deaths of some 500 people, whilst another 200 were killed in riots in Kano in October 2001. Many fear that Christians living in areas where Shari’ah law is enforced could find themselves victimised, even though it is not supposed to apply to them. This has happened in several of the Northern Nigerian Shari’ah states where Christian, as well as Muslim, men and women have been segregated on public transport; Islamic vigilantes are enforcing Shari’ah dress codes on Muslims and Christians alike; and churches have been intimidated and closed. In particular there is serious concern that Muslim converts to Christianity could face the death penalty, as required by Shari’ah law.

PRAY

Pray that the civil adoption of Shari’ah law in Oyo province will not lead to increased tension between Christians and Muslims in the province. Pray that state governments will resist pressures for the extension of Shari’ah law into new areas.

Pray that the run-up to elections (due to take place next year) will not lead to further violence between Christians and Muslims.

Pray for those Christians who have found themselves victimised in parts of Nigeria where Shari’ah law has been enforced.

BARNABAS FUND E-MAIL NEWS SERVICE The Barnabas Fund’s e-mail news service provides our supporters with short urgent news briefs and prayer requests for suffering Christians around the world.

Please do share these news items with your Christian friends and churches. All news items are available on our website in a more colourful user-friendly presentation format which you can access, print and pass on.

If you are not already receiving these news briefs directly from the Barnabas Fund and would like to, please contact us with your name, postal and e-mail addresses, and details of the church you attend.

The Barnabas Fund, The Old Rectory, River Street, PEWSEY, Wiltshire, SN9 5DB, UK, Tel 01672 564938, Fax 01672 565030, E-mail Web http://www.barnabasfund.org

os.yahoo.com/rlgmediaau”>http://au.photos.yahoo.com/rlgmediaau ——————————————————————- Telling others, what others are doing for the Lord.