Volatile City Stays Calm as Islamic Law Is Adopted

The Nigerian city of Kaduna began implementing a modified form of Sharia after plans to introduce the strict Islamic penal code last year triggered sectarian riots that left more than 1,000 dead.

Despite the Muslim-Christian clashes that erupted in Kaduna in February 2000, the talk in much of the city was not about Sharia but about the annual polo tournament.

At the Polo Club the night before, there was no sign that Kaduna was about to adopt Islamic laws, under which people can be flogged for drinking alcohol or have their hands chopped off for theft.

Single women drank beer and young men played pool inside a well-stocked bar. “There will be no Sharia here,” the bartender said.