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The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has condemned the growing resistance to the establishment of Independent Shariah Arbitration Panels in Ekiti and Oyo States, describing it as an attack on the constitutional rights of Muslims in southern Nigeria.
In a statement signed by its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the council expressed deep concern over what it called a rising wave of intolerance and disregard for the religious freedoms of Muslims. The NSCIA criticised the strong opposition from political and traditional figures, which it believes unjustly hindered the implementation of Shariah-based arbitration despite its voluntary nature and legal backing.
The council noted that the rejection of the arbitration panels comes just weeks after the indefinite postponement of a similar initiative in Oyo State due to public backlash. It also cited other instances of discrimination, including the continued denial of Muslim female students’ right to wear the hijab, despite a Supreme Court ruling affirming their right to do so.


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