LEGISLATORS from northern Nigeria are to visit three Middle Eastern countries to study implementation of the strict Islamic code. All 40 lawmakers from the assembly in Kano State will leave for a two-week fact-finding trip to Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. The visit is to prepare for the introduction of Islamic law, Sharia, in Kano State on November 26. The Nigerian government in June announced plans to introduce Islamic law which it said would become operational on the first day of Ramadaan. The assembly approved spending of 200 million naira ($1.7m) for setting up special Islamic courts in the state. Kano State, Nigeria’s second biggest commercial centre after Lagos, last week made Islamic prayers legally compulsory for all Muslims and has banned alcohol and prostitution. – AFP