Islam is Sharia?

[shaver]

Hi all,
I read an interesting article about the dispute in Nigeria. The northern states want to establish Sharia (Islamic law) as the law of the land but the southern states say it is against the constitution, hence dispute. (over-simplified so read up yourself for more)

Anyhow, one of the Northern State spokesmen said that "Islam is Sharia and Sharia is Islam". Implication being that if Nigeria as a whole rejected the Sharia law they were discriminating against Islam. Would people here agree with this?

Does this mean that a muslim must always strive for Sharia law to be installed where they live?

The northern states were saying the muslims could live under Sharia and non-muslims under constitutional law. Would that be a compromise that would settle issue?

These, to me, are interesting questions because they have implications for all muslims living in a non-muslim country.

Yours,
Shaver

Edited- just realised. This should really be in the "Islam" forum rather than the "General" forum. If the admin can move it that would be cool but if you want to leave it here then that's fine to.

[jamila]

I back Shaver. I think this should go in the Islam or comparative religion sections because it is more likely to get lost in general if people take their time to research their answers properly.

Shaver,
A quick comment: To strive for introduction of Shariah is obligatory on the Muslims of a majority Muslim State with Muslim Leadership, I think. However, this is not actually put into full practice anywhere.

Southern Nigeria is Majority Christian. Northern Nigeria is majority Muslim. The northern states have been adopting the Shariah, one by one, for two years now - in the face of fierce resistance and international disapproval. Even in the face of local massacres.

Compromises have already been reached. In most of the northern states, Christians are treated like they have Dhimmi status (which they don't), and have their own courts run on constitutional secular lines. Where there is a dispute between Muslims and non-Muslims, they have some other compromise scheme set up. But I don't know the details. Hence the need to do some research.

[shaver]

Just a note to say thank you to the admin.
Good job and I will think about the suitable forum next time....

Yours,
Shaver