Islamic scholars in Kano State have rejected alleged calls by the United States for the scrapping of Sharia law and the Hisbah institution, insisting that both are legal, constitutional and strictly limited to Muslim communities.
The clerics, speaking under the umbrella of Islamic bodies in the state, said Sharia and Hisbah operate within the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and do not infringe on the rights of non-Muslims. They described reports of foreign pressure to abolish the institutions as inappropriate and insensitive to Nigeria’s religious and cultural diversity.
According to the scholars, Sharia law in Kano applies only to Muslims who voluntarily submit to it, while Hisbah functions as a moral and social regulatory body, focusing on mediation, public order and community guidance rather than coercion.
They warned that external interference in religious matters could heighten tensions and undermine peaceful coexistence among different faiths in the country.
“Any attempt by foreign interests to dictate how Nigerians practise their religion risks creating unnecessary conflict,” one of the clerics said. “These institutions are part of our legal and cultural framework and have existed for years without threatening national unity.”
The scholars urged the Federal Government to resist external pressure and continue to respect the constitutional rights of Nigerians to practise their religion freely, while also calling on authorities to ensure that Hisbah and Sharia institutions operate strictly within the law.
They reaffirmed their commitment to peace and interfaith harmony, stressing that religious issues should be addressed through dialogue and mutual respect rather than foreign influence.
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