Islam encourages us to stand for justice and to resolve conflicts through dialogues. You are a Muslim or Muslim-like if you stand for justice and the rights of others when you know it is their inalienable rights. In contrast, you are not a just Muslim or just human being if you play into the ‘gallery’ just because you want to please the naysayers or ”wider” audience at the expense of justice due to your mindset (nafs), prejudice or presumptions that are rooted in hatred or misinformation.
The Yoruba or southwestern Muslims’ agitation for a Shari’a compliance economy, socio-cultural lifestyle or justice system as viable options for Muslims where applicable are positively justifiable. In fact, it falls under the category of inclusive rights towards egalitarian society. To paraphrase it, inclusive societies and institutions promotes l accessibility of everyone while allowing them to determine their affairs regardless of their religious backgrounds. Where inclusive access is missing, there are usually elements of bias and discrimination.
Stop the Bigotry or Ignorance Against Yoruba Muslims over Sharia Panels
In the strict sense of it, opposition to the constitutionally acceptable demand of Muslims can be considered to emanate from ignorance and bigotry. It is unconstitutional and insensitive to work against the recognised interests of Muslims in the southwest. In the past, when Muslims asked for a halal compliance banking and finance system, non Muslims, who would not have been affected, raised the usual arguments against it. In 2011, the Voice of America noted that “Nigeria is introducing Islamic banking to bring more of the nation’s estimated 70 million Muslims into the economy. But many prominent Christian leaders say it will further inflame religious violence”. It was added that St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, Father Paul Anyansi stated that “We have too many religious tensions in terms of Islam against Christians. So it [Islamic Banking) could stir up more. This is not the time for it”.
More than 10 years after this open bigotry and ignorance against Sharia bank, the sharia or Islamic banking sector has flourished without any problems and it has not led to any tension, except for bigots who have persistent headaches over an issue that does not affect them. As a matter of fact, Jaiz Bank as a sharia compliance system has been helpful to Nigerians without any religious issue. Like the misunderstanding against sharia compliance banks, we must avoid religious misunderstanding and address those who aim to work against demand for Shari’a compliance lifestyle options in a country like Nigeria if truly Nigeria is a secular state.
Secularism does not mean no Religion
Nigeria is a secular state. A secular state is an all inclusive state in terms of religious beliefs or rights of its citizens inasmuch it does not breach the norms of the society or infringe on religious beliefs or rights of others in society now or foreseeable future. On the basis of secularism of Nigeria in terms of religious status it is unconstitutional to outrightly or constructively deny the Muslims Sharia compliance lifestyle because secularism only implies that there is no single state religion that will be made dominant. As such, all religions must have equal legal access to create their own institutions within the law of the state. The Nigerian constitution clearly allows for this. According to Section 38 (1) of the constitution: “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion […] and freedom […] to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance”. For those who are unbiased, this implies that the constitution allows for Muslims to adopt sharia in their personal and social lives as long as there is no compulsion or infringement on the rights of others.
It should be on record that the clamour for Shari’a compliance commercial bank was totally obstructed by non Muslims as stated above and by some ignorant Muslims until the obstacles of Sharia compliance commercial bank system were uprooted. With this, it is safe to conclude that the issue against shariah panels is rooted in bigotry and ignorance. Today, Jaiz Bank is for all. It is Sharia compliance and its services are enjoyed by both the Muslims and non Muslims without stress to its customers and national economic interests.
There are other Islamic financial systems like Sukuk Bonds introduced to the South West and southern state by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola to finance most of its road construction in Osun state. When Aregbesola sought Sukuk options, elements of dogmatism and religious bigots were up and down antagonistic to his move. But today, there is no single state in South East region of Nigeria that has not benefited from Sukuk loan facilities.
The lesson here is that, regardless of the noise and unnecessary unconstitutional arguments and noise against the sharia panel in Yoruba land, the Muslim community must keep marching forward to protect its right. By now, we should already be used to the noises.
Abdulwaheed Badmus writes from Scotland. He can be reached via abdul_waheedbadmus@yahoo.com
