An Islamic group operating under the Supreme Council for Shari?ah in Nigeria, Oyo State chapter, has outlined the reasons for establishing an Independent Sharia Arbitration Panel in Oyo town and its neighbouring areas.

The group clarified that the postponement of the event was due to an inadvertent reference to the programme as the inauguration of a Shari?a court in the state rather than what it refers to as the ?Independent Shari?a Arbitration Panel.?

In a press statement signed by the Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Bello Adisa, and made available to our correspondent on Wednesday, he explained that the arbitration panel already exists in several South-West states and is intended to resolve family disputes among willing Muslims.

Adisa confirmed that the new date for the inauguration would be announced shortly.

The statement read, ?This is to inform the general public, on behalf of the entire Muslim community of Oyo town, that the inauguration ceremony of the Independent Sharia Arbitration Panel in Oyo town, initially scheduled for 11th January 2025 at Oyo Muslim Community Islamic Centre, Agbogangan, Oyo, has been postponed. A new date will be announced later.

?The postponement follows an inadvertent reference to the event as the inauguration of a Shari?a court in Oyo town and its environs instead of the Independent Sharia Arbitration Panel.

?This arbitration panel, which already exists in many parts of the South-West, is meant only to settle family disputes among willing Muslims, without enforcement powers. It is not a court. We deeply regret any inconvenience caused by this misrepresentation and the subsequent postponement.?

Earlier, PUNCH Online reported that a flier went viral on Tuesday, inviting guests from across the country to the Sharia court?s inauguration ceremony on 11th January 2025 at the Muslim Community Islamic Centre, Oba Adeyemi High School Road, Mobolaje Area, Oyo.

The flier also listed Bashorun of Oyo Land, High Chief Yusuf Akinade Olayinka I, as the Royal Father of the Day; Mufairu of Oyo Land, Alhaji Abdullateef Eleyele, as the Spiritual Father of the Day; and Aare Musulumi of Oyo Land, Alhaji Tajudeen Kamorise, as the Chief Host.

However, the event faced disapproval from netizens, with many arguing that the South-West, predominantly Yoruba, is distinct from the northern regions where Muslims are more dominant.

In response to the outrage, the group, through the Khadimul Muslimeen of Oyo Kingdom, Imam Daud Igi Ogun, issued a statement postponing the event.

The statement ?ead: ?On behalf of the Oyo Muslim indigenes, this is to inform the general public that the inauguration ceremony of the Supreme Council for Shari?ah in Nigeria (Oyo branch), previously scheduled for 11th January 2025 at the Muslim Community Islamic Centre, Oba Adeyemi High School Road, Mobolaje Area, Agbongangan, Oyo, has been suspended until further notice. Islam portrays peace!?

In his reaction, the state governor, Seyi Makinde, stated: ?Regarding the establishment of a Sharia court in Oyo town, people may try, but for us, I swore to uphold our laws and the Constitution of Nigeria.

?If their actions are within the law, fine; if not, they should expect that I will insist the law must be followed.? (The PUNCH)

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