An Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has called for constitutional amendments to establish Sharia courts across all South West states.
In addition, the group is advocating for Fridays to be recognised as public holidays nationwide, in respect of Muslim worship practices.
The group’s Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, made the proposal during the South West Zonal Public Hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution. He was represented at the event by Dr. Jamiu Busari, a group leader.
Addressing the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review, MURIC argued that the proposed changes would promote inclusiveness and better protect the rights of Muslims in the South West region.
“No Sharia court currently exists in Southwestern Nigeria, where Muslims arguably form the majority.
“This contradicts the pre-colonial Yoruba experience before the advent of British rule,” Akintola said.
He advocated for the establishment of Sharia courts in all South-Western states, including Edo, citing the significant Muslim populations in those areas.
He further called for constitutional provisions that would compel state governors to set up Sharia Courts of Appeal.
“These courts will exclusively handle matters concerning Muslims and will not interfere with non-Muslims,” he explained.
Akintola also appealed to the National Assembly to officially declare Fridays as public holidays to accommodate Muslim worship.
He said, “Thursdays and Fridays were traditional weekends for Muslims in the pre-colonial period.
“Currently, Nigeria recognises Saturday and Sunday as weekends, both favouring Christians,” he said.
He claimed the weekend structure was imposed by colonial authorities, with Saturday initially a half-day.
“Saturday was later made a full day to benefit Seventh-Day Adventists under Gen. Yakubu Gowon’s regime,” he added.
Akintola argued that the current weekend arrangement excludes Muslims and lacks religious balance.
“We demand Friday be included as a recognised weekend day for Muslims,” he said.
He pointed out that out of Nigeria’s eight national public holidays, five are Christian-focused while only three cater to Muslims.
The holidays listed include Christmas, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Eid-el-Kabir, Eid-el-Fitr, and Maulud.
Akintola called for a constitutional amendment to include the Islamic New Year as a national public holiday.
He noted that while some states already recognise the Islamic New Year, it should be formally adopted across the country.
He also demanded official recognition of Islamic marriage certificates for formal and legal purposes.
“Christian marriages conducted in churches or registries are accepted nationwide,” he said. “But Nikkah marriages often face rejection, causing challenges for Muslim couples in official settings.”
Akintola described the situation as discriminatory and unacceptable in a democratic society.
“It is unjust for marriages of one religious group to be recognised while those of another are disregarded—this must be corrected,” he added.
He proposed that Islamic marriages receive the same legal recognition as Christian ones.
The Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria also backed the call, urging judicial reforms to establish Sharia courts in the region.
The Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) also recommended the establishment of courts specialising in Islamic finance to promote and support Muslim economic practices.
Responding to the proposals, Deputy Senate President, Senator Jubrin Barau, assured that all submissions would be carefully considered. He was represented at the Lagos public hearing by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.
Bamidele noted that the Senate would thoroughly review the presentations and forward its findings to the National Assembly for further action.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that several other groups, including youth, student, and women organisations, also made contributions during the hearing.
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