The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), Kaduna State Chapter, has condemned recent comments made by the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, which linked the implementation of Shari’ah law in northern Nigeria to rising cases of violence and insecurity in the region.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its Secretary, Engr. AbdurRahman Hassan, the Council described Bishop Kukah’s remarks as “unfair and insensitive,” saying they misrepresent the true meaning and purpose of Shari’ah.
According to the Council, Shari’ah is not a political instrument but a moral and spiritual guide deeply rooted in the lives and culture of millions of Muslims across northern Nigeria.
“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 statement read.
The Council explained that the ongoing insecurity and violence in northern Nigeria have little to do with religion and are instead caused by social and political problems such as corruption, bad governance, and economic inequality.
“Numerous studies affirm that violence often stems not from religion but from corruption, poor governance, and societal inequality,” Hassan said. “It is therefore unfair and insensitive to attribute unrest to a system that millions of Nigerians follow peacefully and voluntarily.”
The Council stressed that Shari’ah law predates colonial rule and has long been part of the identity and legal tradition of Muslim communities 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 noted.
According to the SCSN, the reintroduction of Shari’ah law in some northern states since 1999 was based on popular demand among Muslim citizens, not as a political project or a tool to marginalise other faiths.
Hassan said it was disappointing that a respected religious leader like Bishop Kukah would, in the Council’s view, make remarks capable of fuelling misunderstanding between Christians and Muslims.
“No responsible Muslim scholar attacks Canon Law; likewise, no Christian cleric should insult Shari’ah,” he cautioned.
He urged religious leaders across the country to avoid statements that could inflame tensions or encourage mistrust among Nigerians of different faiths.
The Council also challenged Bishop Kukah to reflect on how Canon Law—which governs the Catholic Church—functions within Christian-majority communities before criticizing Shari’ah in Muslim-majority areas.
“We challenge Reverend Kukah to consider how Canon Law operates in Christian-majority states to determine whether his objection to Shari’ah stems from principle or prejudice,” the Council said.
It noted that both Shari’ah and Canon Law serve similar purposes within their faith traditions: to guide believers toward moral behaviour, justice, and social order.
“Religious legal systems are meant to promote justice and discipline among followers. It is wrong to demonize one system while protecting another,” the statement added.
The SCSN appealed for calm and mutual respect between Christians and Muslims, stressing that Nigeria’s diversity should be seen as a strength rather than a source of conflict.
“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,” Hassan said.
He reaffirmed that when properly applied, Shari’ah upholds justice, fairness, and social harmony. The Council also urged Nigerians to focus on promoting good governance, equity, and accountability, which it said are the real solutions to the country’s insecurity challenges.
“It is not Shari’ah that breeds violence but the failure of leadership and governance. Poverty, corruption, and injustice are the true enemies of peace in Nigeria,” the statement added.
Bishop Kukah, known for his outspoken views on governance and interfaith relations, had reportedly linked the rise of violent extremism and insecurity in northern Nigeria to the introduction of Shari’ah law by some state governments in the early 2000s. His comments, made during a recent public lecture, drew mixed reactions from religious groups across the country.
While some Christian leaders supported his call for a review of how religion influences governance, several Muslim groups, including the SCSN, accused him of misrepresenting Islamic law and undermining efforts at interfaith harmony.
In its conclusion, the Shari’ah Council reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful coexistence and national unity, saying both Christians and Muslims must work together to address Nigeria’s common challenges.
“We urge all Nigerians, regardless of faith, to unite against corruption, insecurity, and poverty. These are our real enemies,” Hassan said.
The Council reiterated that it remains open to dialogue with religious leaders and civic groups in promoting understanding, tolerance, and mutual respect among Nigerians.
“The goal of Shari’ah is not division but justice and peace. We call on all faith leaders to speak responsibly and work for a Nigeria where all citizens can live in harmony,” the statement concluded.
