An Appraisal of the Contributions and Challenges of Islāmic Institutions in Curbing Crime among Muslim Youth in Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

The phenomenon of youth crime challenges societal development, prompting various institutions to keep addressing it. In Lagos Stat, Nigeria, Islamic institutions have been tackling youth crime among Muslims. However, their efforts and challenges have not received thorough academic examination. Based on the concepts of Maqasidu-s-Shari'ah, Tazkiyyah, and Amr bil Ma'ruf wa Nahy anil Munkar, this paper appraised the contributions and challenges of Islamic institutions in curbing crime among Muslim youth in Lagos State. The study adopted a qualitative research methodology. A content analysis was used to analyse the data sourced from semi-structured interviews with key informants including Islamic clerics/scholars and administrators in Lagos State, and relevant literature/documents. The study found that Islamic institutions' contributions in combating crimes among Muslim youth in Lagos State are experiencing a dichotomy. On the one hand, these institutions have proven to have the potential to substantially reduce the problem of youth crime among Muslims through avenues such as Islamic moral education, welfare programmes, and sensitisation against involvement in criminal activities. On the other hand, this potential is affected by challenges such as the non-application of Shari'ah, the poor attitude of government towards Islamic education, and Islamophobia tendencies. The study recommended and concluded that, among other things, there is a serious need for a persistent promotion of Islamic education and the commonalities between Christianity ad Islam, in the areas of moral values and criminal justice, so as to allow Islamic institutions robustly and efficiently contribute to the development of Lagos State by fighting youth crime  among Muslims.