A former minister of communications, Adebayo Shittu, has lambasted the critics of the Independent Sharia panel of arbitration in the South West region.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that the establishment of the panel has been met with hostility from different groups in the region, including state governors and traditional rulers.
But speaking during an interview on AIT, Mr Shittu who hailed from Oyo State said the opposition is fueled by ignorance and intolerance.
He said the panels have been in existence in some states for over a decade, adjudicating on civil matters among Muslims.
“In Yorubaland, whether governors or the so-called Yoruba activists, their problem is ignorance of the constitution of Nigeria.
“Sharia is about fundamental human rights in relation to religion. The constitution guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.
“What is the sense of two Muslims going to get married in the mosque under Sharia Law, and when they want to divorce, you ask them to go to a Customary Court which may be completely made up of even Christians, animists or people who do not understand the law under which these people got married.
“Common sense dictates that the law under which you married should be the one to be used in deciding on your divorce,” he said.
He also dismissed insinuations that establishment of the panels would lead to crisis and anarchy in the South West.
“In Oyo State, there has been a Sharia Panel and in Lagos State for more than 10 years. What crisis has it caused to anybody? Has any Christian or non-Muslims been drafted to a Sharia Court?
“These constitutional religious rights are inherent in you as a human being whether in Ekiti or anywhere, people have a right to determine under which law they manage their affairs.
“I expect the Muslim community in those states would take the government or people trying to disturb their peace to court,” Mr Shittu added.
