January 5, 2025
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has strongly condemned the death threats and cyberbullying targeted at Shakirat Oluwatosin Raji, a US-based Nigerian Muslim woman advocating for civil Shari’ah in Yorubaland. The organization has described the attacks as barbaric, Islamophobic, and an assault on free speech.
Shakirat has been the target of online harassment, including a death threat from a user on social media, for her views supporting the establishment of civil Shari’ah courts to address family and personal matters for Muslims in Nigeria’s Southwest. Another user threatened to report her to her employers, attaching her social media posts as evidence.
In a press statement issued by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC called for immediate intervention by US security agencies to ensure Shakirat’s safety.
“These attacks are an affront to democracy, freedom, and the fundamental human rights of Muslims. Shakirat’s advocacy for civil Shari’ah reflects practices already accepted in Western nations, such as halal food services in the United States, which cater specifically to Muslim needs without infringing on the rights of others,” the statement read.
MURIC also emphasized that the proposed civil Shari’ah courts would serve only Muslims, addressing issues such as marriage, inheritance, and lawful transactions. The organization clarified that its advocacy is peaceful and in line with its motto, “Dialogue, Not Violence.”
The group urged US authorities to protect Shakirat, highlighting that her activism poses no threat to the nation’s security or its citizens.
“America is celebrated as a bastion of freedom and democracy. Islamophobic actions and social media harassment should not tarnish this reputation,” MURIC stated.
The organization reaffirmed its commitment to peace, dialogue, and the protection of human rights, calling for an end to cyberbullying and threats against Shakirat and others like her.
#StopCyberBullying
#ProtectShakiratRaji
#FreedomOfExpression
