Shariah Council Urges Nigeria to Reconsider Engagement with Israel Amid Middle East Turmoil
The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has issued a strong advisory to the Nigerian government, cautioning against intensifying diplomatic or security collaborations with Israel. This warning comes amid escalating tensions in the Israel-Palestine conflict, where Nigeria’s involvement could have significant geopolitical repercussions.
Concerns Over Nigeria’s Role in the Israel-Palestine Conflict
In an official communiqué signed by Secretary-General Nafiu Baba-Ahmad, the Council emphasized that Nigeria should avoid becoming entangled as a proxy in the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Palestine. The SCSN criticized recent political consultations held in Abuja between Nigerian and Israeli officials, labeling the engagement as a stark deviation from Nigeria’s historically principled foreign policy stance.
The Council described the meeting as a “serious compromise of Nigeria’s national dignity and a betrayal of the collective conscience of its citizens.” This session, convened by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu-Odumegwu, included Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Sharren Haskel-Harpaz, and covered a broad range of topics such as agriculture, information and communication technology (ICT), education, as well as security cooperation, intelligence exchange, and counter-terrorism strategies.
Security Cooperation: A Controversial Agenda
The inclusion of security discussions in the talks drew sharp rebuke from the Council. They argued that pursuing security partnerships with Israel, a nation currently engaged in a military campaign in Gaza, contradicts Nigeria’s commitment to justice and undermines its credibility on the international stage. The Council highlighted that such cooperation risks making Nigeria’s advocacy for global justice appear insincere and hypocritical.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: A Call for Justice
Highlighting the severity of the conflict, the Council condemned Israel’s military operations in Gaza as among the most devastating humanitarian crises in recent history. Since October 2023, over 70,000 Palestinians have reportedly lost their lives, with approximately 160,000 injured, underscoring the urgent need for international intervention and accountability.
The statement underscored Nigeria’s longstanding foreign policy principles rooted in justice, liberation, and non-alignment with oppressive regimes. It warned that seeking security collaboration with a state accused of perpetrating acts tantamount to genocide represents a dangerous contradiction.
Appeal to the Nigerian Government and Global Community
The Supreme Council for Shari’ah urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to reconsider and rectify this diplomatic approach, reaffirming Nigeria’s historic solidarity with the Palestinian cause. The Council stressed that Nigeria should continue to uphold its image as a champion of justice and moral leadership on the world stage.
Furthermore, the Council called on all Nigerians and the international community to remain steadfast in advocating for justice and human rights for Palestine, emphasizing that global peace and stability depend on addressing such conflicts with fairness and integrity.
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