Olayiwola Matthew
The Society for Yoruba Culture Renaissance has vehemently rejected the establishment of Sharia panels in Oyo, Ekiti, and other southwestern states.
The group in a press statement emphasised that Sharia law is alien to Yoruba society, adding that it has the potential to disrupt the peaceful coexistence among people of different religious beliefs.
The group was responding to the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, which argued that the Sharia panel initiative is legal and provided for in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Section 275).
However, the Society for Yoruba Culture Renaissance countered that Sharia law is an Arabic cultural practice suitable for societies with a dominant Muslim population, which is not the case in Yorubaland.
The group accused the Sultan of Sokoto of attempting to incite a religious crisis in southwestern Nigeria by advocating for the implementation of Sharia law in the region.
The group wrote: “Our attention has been drawn to the misguided press release by the Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs…
“The Yoruba people firmly reject the imposition of Sharia law or any Sharia panel in Yorubaland. Sharia law is alien to our society, as it is an Arabic cultural practice suited for societies with over 80% Muslim population.”
The group emphasised that Yorubaland has a rich history of traditional values, culture, and language that they hold dear.
“Our ‘Omoluabi’ ethos is sacrosanct, and it is this ethos that has ensured peaceful coexistence among Yoruba people of different religious beliefs for over 300 years.”
The group also pointed out that the Sultan of Sokoto’s emirate does not include Yorubaland, and that Islam has existed in Yorubaland for centuries without any issues.
“Claims of preventing students from wearing hijab are false and serve only to blackmail the peace-loving Yoruba people.”
The Society for Yoruba Culture Renaissance concluded by saying, “We reject any attempt to disguise the invasion or eradication of our culture and values…
“The Sharia law practised in the north has not added value to the society but has exacerbated the suffering of the people. We call attention to the origins of Boko Haram and other terrorist groups, which began with the implementation of Sharia law. We do not want such destabilization in our society.”
“Keep Sharia law in Sokoto and other Northern states. Yorubaland will maintain its peaceful nature and uphold its cultural values,” the group added.