The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), Kaduna State Chapter, has condemned comments made by Reverend Matthew Hassan Kukah linking Shari’ah law in northern Nigeria to rising violence.
In a statement signed by its Secretary, Engr. AbdurRahman Hassan, the Council described the remarks as “unfair and insensitive,” insisting that they distort the meaning and purpose of Shari’ah.
“Shari’ah, as practiced in these 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 stated.
Hassan said insecurity in northern Nigeria stems from poor governance and inequality, not religion.
“Numerous studies affirm that violence often stems not from religion but from corruption, poor governance, and societal inequality.
“It is therefore unfair and insensitive to attribute unrest to a system that millions of Nigerians follow peacefully and voluntarily,” he said.
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The Council noted that Shari’ah predates colonial rule and remains central to Muslim identity in the region.
“Muslims in northern Nigeria practiced Shari’ah centuries before colonial rule. It remains a way of life, not an imposition,” the statement read.
Calling for mutual respect between religious leaders, Hassan added, “No responsible Muslim scholar attacks Canon Law; likewise, no Christian cleric should insult Shari’ah.”
The Council challenged Reverend Kukah to reflect on how Canon Law functions in Christian-majority states “to determine whether his objection to Shari’ah stems from principle or prejudice.”
Concluding, Hassan urged restraint and interfaith understanding.
“Religious leaders must be agents of peace, not division. The true test of any legal system, religious or secular, is its ability to protect rights, promote justice, and foster peace,” he said.