MURIC Advocates Sharia Courts and Friday Public Holidays in South West: A Bold Push for Religious Inclusion
📰 MURIC Advocates Sharia Courts and Friday Public Holidays in South West: A Bold Push for Religious Inclusion
By Prince Agbedeyi Odimientimi Desmond
Global Egberi Media International
LAGOS, NIGERIA (July 2025) — The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has sparked widespread national discourse following its proposal at the South West Zonal Public Hearing on constitutional review, calling for the establishment of Sharia courts across all South West states and the recognition of Fridays as official public holidays in the region.
The bold submission was made by Dr. Jamiu Busari, who represented the organization’s founder and Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, at the session hosted by the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution.
📜 A Push for Constitutional Amendments
MURIC’s call forms part of broader efforts by various ethnic, religious, and civic organizations seeking to influence the direction of Nigeria’s constitutional evolution. The Muslim advocacy group argues that Muslims in the South West — despite being a significant part of the region's demographic — are often structurally excluded from enjoying full religious rights due to what it described as "legal and institutional limitations."
According to Prof. Akintola (via his representative), the existing legal framework in many southern states fails to accommodate the cultural and judicial needs of the Muslim population:
“It is only fair and democratic for the Constitution to allow Muslims in the South West access to Sharia courts for matters of personal law. This proposal is not an imposition — it is a request for constitutional fairness.”
🕌 Why Sharia Courts in the South West?
MURIC insists that Sharia courts would not interfere with Nigeria’s secular character, as their jurisdiction would be limited to personal matters such as marriage, inheritance, and family affairs, and only apply to willing Muslims. The organization also stressed that Christian institutions, such as ecclesiastical courts and missionary schools, operate freely across the country — hence, the demand for Sharia courts reflects an equal right to religious expression.
“No Nigerian should be denied the freedom to practice their religion in a way that is recognized by law,” the statement added.
🕋 Fridays as Public Holidays?
Perhaps the most attention-grabbing of MURIC’s submissions is its proposal to declare Fridays as public holidays in the South West. The organization argues that in a region where many Muslims observe Jumu'ah prayers, there is a growing need to create space for spiritual and communal obligations without workplace pressure or conflict.
While acknowledging Nigeria's multi-religious society, MURIC maintains that Fridays are to Muslims what Sundays are to Christians, and therefore deserving of the same constitutional accommodation.
“We are not asking that Sundays be removed — we are simply calling for balance. If Sundays are respected for Christian worship, then Fridays should be respected for Muslim worship too.”
⚖️ A Constitutional Balancing Act
The proposals by MURIC are already generating heated debate across political, religious, and civic circles. Critics argue that introducing Sharia courts in the South West could blur the lines between religion and state and risk deepening divisions. Others see it as a legitimate and overdue demand for equality in a pluralistic society.
Supporters of the proposal claim that religious harmony must be built on mutual respect and inclusion, not on assumptions of homogeneity or superiority.
🌍 What Happens Next?
The Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has acknowledged the submission and promised that all proposals will be subjected to legislative scrutiny, public debate, and constitutional due process. It remains to be seen how the lawmakers, governors, and various stakeholders in the South West will react to MURIC’s requests.
In the meantime, Prof. Akintola and the Muslim Rights Concern maintain that their demands are peaceful, democratic, and in line with international human rights standards that guarantee freedom of religion and cultural identity.
📌 Stay with Global Egberi Media International for ongoing updates on this and other national issues.
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