: Implementation of Sharia in Nigeria Causes Controversy

It seems pretty obvious that the implementation of sharia in a society with religions other than Islam would cause problems. Nigeria is a case in point. A sentence of death by stoning was recently passed on Safiya Hussaini Tungar-Tudu, a Muslim mother of five convicted of adultery by a newly-instituted sharia court in the northwestern city of Sokoto. Nigerian human rights activists are cautiously optimistic an Islamic appeals court will reverse it. The implementation of sharia in northern Nigeria sparked inter-religious rioting between Christians and Muslims which have left thousands dead.

Shahed Amanullah is editor-in-chief of altmuslim.com.