In Nigeria, a WhatsApp message can become a matter of life and death.
Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a Nigerian Sufi musician, is facing execution for lyrics he wrote about his faith.
In 2020, Yahaya was accused by others of blasphemy for allegedly insulting the prophet Muhammad.
A violent mob then burned down his house, Yahaya was arrested by the Hisbah Islamic religious police and then sentenced to death by hanging in a Sharia court.
In the trial, Yahaya didn’t even have legal counsel.
6 and a half years later, Yahaya is still in prison, awaiting his fate, without the freedom to create, to speak, or even to know what his future holds.
Last month, ADF’s allied lawyers wrote to the Chief Justice of the Nigerian Supreme Court, urging the court to assign a hearing date as soon as possible.
“The Court has continued to stall in hearing [Yahaya's] case, delaying what could be a decision that not only frees Yahaya, but overturns the blasphemy laws in the country, which for years have suffocated religious freedom.” said Sean Nelson, our Senior Counsel of Global Religious Freedom.
Sadly, Yahaya’s case is not an isolated one. Across northern Nigeria, Sharia-based blasphemy laws punish Christians, minority Muslims, and others for peacefully expressing their views and silence others from sharing their faith.
Alliance Defending Freedom is working to end blasphemy laws so that people like Yahaya can finally have what so many of us take for granted: the freedom to express their faith, to share our thoughts, and live without fear of persecution.
A ruling in Yahaya's favour could set a precedent overturning blasphemy laws across the country.
You can support Yahaya and others like him with your gift today.
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