Nigerian State Claims Sharia Legal System Is A Success

On Wednesday, the Nigerian paper This Day carried a long article on the success of the Sharia legal system that has been operating for seven years in the Nigerian state of Zamfara. Government officials claim the following achievements for the system: "Institutionalization of equity and justice in the conduct of government business, reduction of crime rate at all levels of society, greater respect for human rights and the entrenchment of such rights, greater awareness of Islamic teachings and practices by the citizens of the state, ... [and] the curtailing of alcoholism and prostitution which led to the closure of 2, 800 brothels and beer palours. Similarly, cinema houses were outlawed and were subsequently purchased from the owners and converted to offices or learning centres." Also fears that non-Muslims would disinvest did not materialize.