MURIC Demands Sharia Courts, Friday Work-Free Day in Southwest

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called for amendments to Nigeria’s constitution to establish Sharia courts across the Southwest and to officially declare Fridays as work-free days for Muslim worship.

Speaking during the South West Zonal Public Hearing on constitutional review, MURIC’s Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola—represented by Dr Jamiu Busari—told the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution that such steps would protect Muslim rights and promote inclusivity.

He argued that despite the large Muslim populations in the region, no Sharia courts exist in any Southwestern state, a situation he described as inconsistent with pre-colonial Yoruba traditions before British rule.

MURIC also urged that governors be constitutionally mandated to set up Sharia Courts of Appeal to handle issues exclusively concerning Muslims. Akintola stressed that these courts would not affect non-Muslims.

Additionally, the group pushed for constitutional backing to recognise Fridays as part of the national weekend. Akintola said the current Saturday-Sunday arrangement favours Christians and was imposed during colonial rule, with Saturday later expanded under Gen. Yakubu Gowon’s administration to accommodate Seventh-Day Adventists. He argued that including Friday would balance the interests of Muslims.

He further called for the Islamic New Year to be declared a national public holiday, noting it is already observed in some states. Akintola also highlighted the need for equal recognition of Islamic marriage certificates (Nikkah) for official purposes, pointing out that church and registry marriages enjoy automatic acceptance while Muslim marriages face discrimination.

Echoing MURIC’s position, the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) demanded judicial reforms to create Sharia courts and proposed specialised courts for Islamic financial matters.

Responding, Deputy Senate President Sen. Jubrin Barau—represented by Senate Leader Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele—assured that all presentations would be reviewed and considered by the National Assembly.

Other groups, including youth, women, and student organisations, also made submissions at the hearing.