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Islam in Nigeria

Islam in Nigeria. Boko Haram and Shari’a Law. Shari’a law adopted in 12 northern states in Nigeria. History of Shari’a in Nigeria. Comes from Maliki Law – 8 th century Imam Sunni British colonialism – “indirect rule” Zamfara state first to adopt in 2000 Goal – purification.

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Islam in Nigeria

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  1. Islam in Nigeria Boko Haram and Shari’a Law

  2. Shari’alaw adopted in 12 northern states in Nigeria

  3. History of Shari’a in Nigeria • Comes from Maliki Law – 8th century Imam • Sunni • British colonialism – “indirect rule” • Zamfara state first to adopt in 2000 • Goal – purification

  4. Shari’a Law v. Nigerian Law • Coexists uneasily • Freedom of religious practice v. no established religion • Criminal enforcement by federal police v. hisba • Penalties: stoning for adultery, right hand amputated for theft, 80 lashes w/ a whip for drinking alcohol • Can’t opt out • Conflicts between Sharia and civil law not easy to resolve • Conflicts with Nigerian federal legislature • Conflicts with human rights/UDHR

  5. “Western Education if Forbidden” - Meet Boko Haram • Since 2002 • Lead by Muhammad Yusuf • Patterned after Taliban in Afghanistan • Based in northern Nigerian city of Maiduguri • Unaffiliated with wider jihadi network • Rejects evolution, water cycle and believes earth is flat – no kidding. Boko Haram leader Muhammad Yusuf The group's official name is Jama'atuAhlisSunnaLidda'awatiwal-Jihad, which in Arabic means "People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad".

  6. Yusuf in 2009 BBC interview • "There are prominent Islamic preachers who have seen and understood that the present Western-style education is mixed with issues that run contrary to our beliefs in Islam," he said. • "Like rain. We believe it is a creation of God rather than an evaporation caused by the sun that condenses and becomes rain. • "Like saying the world is a sphere. If it runs contrary to the teachings of Allah, we reject it. We also reject the theory of Darwinism." bbc.com July 31, 2009 – Muhammad Yusuf was killed the day this article was published.

  7. Violence as a political means • Staged dozens of terror attacks starting in 2003 • Attacked police installations to steal weapons • Yusuf killed in 2009 by Nigerian forces • 2010 prison break – 100 members set free • Membership between 5,000-8,000? • 45 major terror operations between September 2010 and November 2011 mostly in northern Nigeria • University of Maiduguri shut down July 2011

  8. Students evacuating University of Maiduguri, July 2011

  9. Violence spreads • Attacked candidates for office and opposition Islamic clerics • Abuja • United Nations compound summer 2011 • “Middle belt” – Plateau state, April 2012 • Cell service cut in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states May-July 2013

  10. Religious Cleansing? • Targeting Christians in northern Nigeria • Abuja Christmas Day church bombing 2011, 42 killed • Many Christians have fled northern states of Borno and Yobe Bombing in Damaturu, northern Nigeria, June 2012

  11. How dangerous is Boko Haram? • Spreading across Nigeria but leadership diffuse • Too uncoordinated to negotiate with? • Current leader AbubakarShekau not charismatic like Yusuf • No current threat outside Nigeria • May be linked to Al Qaida in Maghreb, Somalia jihadists or AQAP – suicide bombings? • Basically in control of northeastern Nigeria • Shari’a in all of Nigeria? Not likely • Nigerian government too weak to effectively deal with Boko Haram AbubakarShekau africanheraldexpress.com

  12. Sources • BBC.com • NPR.org • David Cook, PhD., Baker Institute, Rice University, Boko Haram: A Prognosis, December 2011 • Foreignpolicy.com ‘Is Nigeria the Next Front of the War on Terror?” July 2012 • Nigerianmailonline.com • Ruud Peters, PhD., University of Amsterdam, Report to European Commission, The Reintroduction of Islamic Criminal Law in Northern Nigeria, September 2001 • UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs, IRINnews.com

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