2 hours ago
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An eleven-man Sharia Arbitration Panel has been inaugurated in Ekiti State for Muslims to have the right forum for the dispensation of justice in accordance with the dictates of their religion.
The historic and symbolic ceremony was performed by the grand Qadi of the Kwara State Sharia Court of Appeal, Justice Abdul-Lateef Kamaldeen.
Delivering his speech at the ceremony, Justice Kamaldeen described Shariah as fundamental rights of Muslims in Ekiti, which he said was long overdue.
He admonished panel members to discharge their duties with utmost dedication, equity, fairness and above all with the fear of Allah, stressing that the panel would serve justice to all, regardless of religious affiliation.
The Lordship who was accompanied to the ceremony by Hon Justice AbdurRaheem Ahmad Sayi (Kadi, Shariah Court of Appeal,Kwara State).
warned them against favouritism or betrayal of trust, saying, “The inauguration of the Shariah Panel in Ekiti State is a right step in the right direction. Be just in whatever you are doing because Allah SWT is watching you. Dont falsify documents before you to favour anyone. Let’s start shariah from our various homes.
The Grand Qadi urged Muslim stakeholders in Ekiti to engage other relevant stakeholders on the need to have Area Court and Sharia Court of Appeal in the state.
“While the independent Sharia Panel we are inaugurating today is a right step in that direction, we must know and realise that it is just a temporal arrangement.
“Muslims, like adherents of other religions, are citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and residents of Ekiti State, living and conducting their affairs peacefully and abiding by the laws of the state including payment of taxes, levies and other charges, it is only logical that Muslims be allowed to have the right forum for the dispensation of justice in accordance with the dictates of their religion that is Islamic Law.
“The fact that a state has not created courts for the operation of Islamic Law does not disentitle the Muslims therein from exercising their right to Islamic personal law. According to Muntaka Coomassie JCA (as he then was), ‘the issue of Islamic personal law has transcended the state law. It is now governed by the provisions of the Constitution’.”
