Some Nigerians are publicly expressing their outrage against a Sharia Court ruling which has sentenced nine people to death in Kano State for blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad.
They took to twitter to start a protest using #SaveKanoNine because they argue the sentencing and trial were carried out in secret. Advocates for the Sharia Court verdict say that the trial was held in secret because angry protesters burned down a Sharia Court last month in response to the nine arrests.
The alleged offense was committed last month at a religious gathering in honor of Sheikh Ibrahim Niasse, the Senegalese founder of the Tijaniyya Islamic sect, which has a large following across West Africa.
The nine people were reported to have said that “Niasse was bigger than Prophet Muhammad,” triggering unrest. Before this ruling, the Sharia Court had never used a death sentence for blasphemy in northern Nigeria. Offenses like adultery were usual grounds for the death penalty.
In a statement signed by the Kano State Government, the Sharia court was commended for handling the case meticulously and not allowing unnecessary delays in the ruling.
#SaveKanoNine has been one of the top trends on Twitter in Nigeria since yesterday. Many have been calling for the Sharia Court to reconsider the ruling and not kill the nine people.
For how long will this continue? It is time to put an end to such barbaric acts; there is a right to freedom and belief. The government and people in the right places should please intervene in this situation.
