Muslim Leaders Highlight Sharia Judges’ Role in Curbing Gender Violence

Muslim opinion leaders (MOLs) have emphasised the essential role of Sharia court judges in addressing and preventing gender-based violence (GBV) as a core element of community justice.

The leaders made their remarks at a seminar organised by the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) in partnership with the Ford Foundation West Africa.

The seminar was designed to educate Sharia court judges from Kaduna and Kano states on Islamic perspectives regarding the prevention of GBV.

The leaders stressed that Sharia court judges are uniquely positioned to address GBV cases, protect survivors, and uphold legal frameworks that safeguard women’s rights, dignity, and safety within Islamic law.

In an interview following the seminar, Barr. Aisha Tijjani, a prominent leader, underscored the critical role of Sharia court judges in curbing GBV and providing justice for affected individuals.

Tijjani underscored the importance of Sharia courts as the primary recourse for victims seeking justice, stating that Islamic law empowers individuals to seek redress and holds perpetrators accountable.

She urged Sharia judges to take their role seriously, standing firm on justice as instructed by Allah.

“Our judges must recognize the unique challenges women face in northern Nigeria, where GBV takes on particular forms,” she said. “Through sensitization, we hope judges will understand these nuances better and administer justice accordingly.”

Tijjani emphasised that GBV is not confined to culture, religion, or geography.

She said, “All women, regardless of background, are at risk of violence. 

“Judges must consider why a woman is driven to leave her marital home before requiring witnesses, especially in cases where abuse happens behind closed doors. Failure to do so may allow perpetrators to avoid accountability.”

Prominent Islamic scholars, including Dr. Toafik Abubakar Hussaini from Bayero University Kano, echoed this call.

He noted that interpretations of Islamic teachings in Egypt have demonstrated that effective collaboration between religious scholars and the judiciary can strengthen GBV protections.

Hussaini advocated for similar partnerships in Nigeria to improve GBV responses within Sharia courts.

Also Read: DRPC Trains 40 Religious Leaders on Gender-Based Violence Prevention

The project coordinator of MOLs for GBV Prevention, Ahmed Abdullah Ahmed, expressed optimism about the seminar’s outcomes, highlighting the importance of integrating Islamic perspectives on GBV prevention into the legal framework.

According to him, “This initiative aims not to impose new regulations but to enhance Sharia judges’ understanding of GBV, empowering them to address cases effectively.” 

He said sensitisation seminar gathered 50 Sharia court judges from Kaduna and Kano, as a significant step in the dRPC and Ford Foundation’s ongoing efforts to mitigate GBV in northern Nigeria through education and judicial reform.

In a separate interview, Abubakar Abdulsalam (aka Baban Gwale), dean of the School of Islamic Studies at Aminu Kano College, highlighted discussions between Muslim opinion leaders and scholars in Egypt on addressing gender-based violence (GBV) from an Islamic perspective.

He stressed on the need for Sharia judges in northern Nigeria to follow Islamic teachings learned from Egyptian scholars to address GBV effectively.

Imam Maroof Raji from Kaduna appreciated the dRPC’s efforts on the GBV project, advocating for educational empowerment for women, stronger laws, and enhanced training for judges to improve justice outcomes for GBV victims.

Barr. Tahir Tahir, Director General of Kaduna State’s Bureau of Interfaith, noted that during his visit to Egypt, he saw comprehensive protections for women against GBV.

He emphasised that Nigerian judges require more engagement and knowledge-sharing to better handle GBV cases within Islamic legal frameworks

While noting also that, many women avoid court due to harsh treatment, often finding it worse than the abuse they face at home.