MURIC Seeks Sharia Courts, Friday Public Holiday in Southwest

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), an Islamic human rights advocacy group, has urged the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to allow the establishment of Sharia courts in all South West states and to designate Fridays as work-free days for Muslim worship.

The call was made during the South West Zonal Public Hearing on constitutional amendments, where MURIC’s Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, made a presentation through a representative, Dr. Jamiu Busari, before the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution.

According to MURIC, the absence of Sharia courts in the South West — a region with a significant Muslim population — is a glaring omission that undermines the legal and religious rights of Muslims in the area.

“There are currently no Sharia courts in the South West, despite Muslims arguably forming the majority in many states,” Akintola stated. 

“This situation contradicts historical Yoruba Islamic practices that existed prior to British colonization.”

The group urged the federal government to mandate all South West governors, including those in states like Edo with notable Muslim populations, to establish Sharia Courts of Appeal. 

Akintola clarified that such courts would handle only matters relating to Muslims and would not affect non-Muslim citizens.

In addition to judicial reforms, MURIC also advocated for Fridays to be declared national public holidays, emphasizing the significance of the day in Islamic worship. 

Akintola noted that pre-colonial Muslim societies in Nigeria observed Thursdays and Fridays as weekends, and claimed the current Saturday-Sunday structure, which aligns with Christian traditions, was imposed during colonial rule.

He referenced historical shifts under former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, who reportedly made Saturday a full rest day to accommodate Seventh-Day Adventists. 

“This structure, which now favors Christian worship, is unfair to Muslims,” Akintola argued. “We are calling for a balanced arrangement where Friday is officially recognized for Muslims.”

MURIC also raised concerns over public holidays in Nigeria, pointing out that out of eight nationally recognized holidays, five cater to Christian events, while only three acknowledge Muslim observances. 

The group proposed that the Islamic New Year be added to the official calendar of public holidays, as already observed in some states.

Another major issue raised was the lack of official recognition for Islamic marriages (Nikkah). 

Akintola criticized the continued exclusion of Nikkah certificates in official and legal processes, especially when Christian marriages conducted in churches or registries are widely accepted.

“This kind of discrimination is unacceptable in a democracy,” he said. 

“All religious marriages should enjoy equal recognition under Nigerian law.”

Backing MURIC’s demands, the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) also called for the creation of Sharia courts and proposed the establishment of judicial bodies to oversee Islamic finance practices, to cater to Muslims engaging in ethical economic systems.

Responding to the various submissions, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who represented Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau at the Lagos hearing, assured the groups that all recommendations would be thoroughly reviewed and considered in the constitutional amendment process.

The public hearing also featured presentations from other interest groups, including youth, student, and women organizations, as part of ongoing efforts to review and reform Nigeria’s constitution.