Chippla Vandu on Sharia Republic

Chippla Vandu

The Nigerian-born moderate blogger, who now lives in Europe, comments on growing Islamic extremism in Somalia and in elsewhere on the African continent:

"From Northern Nigeria to Somalia, the craze by the ruling class to see that people abide by Arabic cultural values as promulgated by their interpretation of the Islamic religion is baffling. Why should 21st century African societies be subject to 7th century Arabic laws?

Furthermore, even in the Arab nations of North Africa, Sharia law holds less sway than it does in say Northern Nigeria and of recent, in Somalia.....My question is this: what room does Sharia law give for the creation of a pluralistic society?

Or, how does Sharia law accommodate the existence of pluralism? As with most things with Islam as practiced in Northern Nigeria, asking too many questions could be dangerous--only a thin line exists between what is considered a genuine question and an open attack on Islam. Until the day comes when Islam can be openly and frankly discussed on the streets of Northern Nigeria without the fear of a mob attack, enlightenment of the individual mind in that part of the world would remain an illusion.

As for Somalia, it needs one of two things to set it on the right path—a miracle, or foreign intervention. The last thing any African nation needs today is Taliban-style madness, which is precisely what one sees in Mogadishu."