Tyus, J. (2004). Going Too Far: Extending Shari’a Law in Nigeria from Personal to Public Law. Washington University Global Studies Law Review, 3(1). https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1236&context=law_globalstudies
Drawing on the story of Amina Lawal, a Nigerian woman who was sentenced to death by stoning by a Nigerian Islamic Court, this paper analyzes the implementation of Shari’a law of northern Nigeria. Specifically, the paper will examine whether Shari’a law violates human rights and how to ensure Nigerians are treated equally. The first part of the paper outlines the history of sharia law. The second section examines whether Shari’a law violates Nigeria’s constitution and human rights. In addition, an analysis of three Muslim-majority countries that employ Islamic law are also included. Lastly, the third part provides recommendations for ways Muslims and Christians to co-exist under Nigerian common law.
The Teaching Against Islamophobia resources were developed with funding support from the Law Foundation of BC, and the Centre for Comparative Muslim Studies at SFU.
Image credit: “Vancouver Public Central Library” by GoToVan is licensed under CC BY 2.0.