Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto, has assured 2022 Batch ‘B’ Stream 11 corps members in Sokoto State that Shari’a Law is not binding on non-Muslims in the state.
The Sultan gave the assurance on Thursday in his palace during a courtesy visit by the NYSC management team in the state, led by the state coordinator, and some selected corps members.
He also assured them that their safety is guaranteed, despite the country’s security challenges.
Abubakar also assured them that they would be allowed to practise their preferred religion.
He stated that Sharia law is not binding on non-Muslims and that no one would be forced to join Muslims against their will.
“In Sokoto, Sharia law is only binding on Muslims, nobody will force you to wear Hijab or force you to obey Islamic laws if you are not a Muslim,” he stated.
He also urged them to continue to be law-abiding and serve as role models to the younger generations.
“If you are posted to schools, impact the lives of the students, make them better than you met them,” he added
The monarch urged them to respect the cultures and customs of their host communities.
“If you have a problem at the place of your primary assignment or where you are posted to, contact the district head over there; they are your guardians in the community,’’ he noted.
The sultan’s assurance is meant to assuage the fears of corps members serving in Sokoto State following the lynching of Deborah Samuel, a Christian undergraduate at College of Education Sokoto, for blasphemy earlier this year.
Alhaji Muhammad Nakamba, the NYSC State Coordinator, said these batches of corps members are exceptional in terms of discipline and adherence to camp rules and regulations.
