Nigeria and Sharia Law

[espritch]

I wasn't sure if this should go under Religion or Politics. I came across this item and thought it was worth some discussion.

http://search.csmonitor.com/durable/2001/02/22/fp1s3-csm.shtml

The article notes that implementation of sharia law in parts of Nigeria has had some beneficial results. It has greatly reduced the amount of crime in those areas. And it was implemented at the behest of the local populace.

"This is the benefit of democracy," says Isa Ibdulsalam, an academic who is advising Kano State government on the reintroduction of sharia law. "The people can come forward and demand something. Under previous regimes, people didn't have that freedom."

However, not everyone in Nigeria sees it as such a blessing. The article goes on to relate the story of a man named Sani who was critical of the motives of those implementing sharai law.

Why, he asked the group, were government officials allowed to keep their satellite dishes and VCRs, when the two cinemas in town were closed? Why were the rich not compelled to give charity to the poor, as is required under Islamic law? Why were only the poor dragged before sharia court judges?

"Because this governor is using sharia law for his own political purposes," Sani told them.

The local government promptly responded by having Sani arrested.

"Islam does not permit someone to criticize the government," explains Abdul Kadir Jelani, the paramount Islamic leader here and an adviser to the governor.

So let’s see. Sharia law is a “benefit of democracy” but sharia law doesn’t permit any criticism of the government?

It boggles the mind.

 

[Segnosaur]

The article notes that implementation of sharia law in parts of Nigeria has had some beneficial results. It has greatly reduced the amount of crime in those areas.

Of course, other countries (such as Singapore) have very little crime, and although some may view their activities as oppressive, I don't believe they are based on religion, nor do they stone people to death.

And it was implemented at the behest of the local populace.

One of the elements of modern democracy is not only the concept of majority-rules, it is the idea that minorities must also be respected. Sharia law does not allow that.

On a related note... the Nigerian woman who was to be stoned to death for adultery (under Shari law) has been spared. The case was overturned on a technicality (Only one person heard the case, instead of 3, and she may not have understood the charges.)

See: http://www.guardian.co.uk/gender/story/0,11812,1049767,00.html

 

[arcticpenguin]

http://www.canada.com/news/world/story.asp?id=B21566C5-C51A-471A-B33A-AC9638D8C3B2

I thought this bit was interesting:

He noted that under some interpretations of Shariah, babies can remain in gestation in a mother's womb for more than five years, opening the possibility that her ex-husband - whom she divorced two years before giving birth - could have fathered the child.

 

[espritch]

Just a few more comments. From the first article:

Judge Shitu chilled public debate further when he jailed a well-known opposition party supporter on suspicion of throwing a stone at the governor's convoy. In a recent interview in his dingy sharia courthouse, Shitu said with a shrug, "We weren't convinced that he threw the stone." The man spent two weeks in jail anyway.

So they didn’t really think he was guilty, but they put him in jail anyway. Well, I’m sure he was guilty of something.

A middle-aged shopkeeper too fearful to give his name said in a whisper, "We think the people are being deceived. This is not true sharia. This is for the governor. We want true sharia."

This reminds me of diehard Marxists. Point out that every society that has adopted communism has become despotic, oppressive, and genocidal, and they will protest that “that isn't true Marxism”. If we just had true Marxism/sharia, everything would be just jake.

And pigs, of course, would become adept aerialists.

From the link Segnosaur posted:

The Reuters news agency reported that police in Katsina state, in the heartland of the conservative Islamic north of Nigeria, were bracing for a backlash from fundamentalists demanding Ms Lawal's blood.

Okay, now say it with me class: “Islam is a religion of peace”.

 

[shuize]

And whatever you do, don't even joke that Mohammed might like swimsuit competitions....