This is a direct violation of the sanctity of Islam, and it is absolutely unacceptable.
We raise our voices with full strength to demand immediate action and accountability against anyone involved in this blatant act of religious disrespect.
Islam is a religion of peace, dignity, and respect. Muslims do not mock or belittle the sacred practices of any faith and we expect the same in return.
Turning Islamic symbols, acts of worship, or sacred spaces into objects of mockery is a serious offense that cannot be ignored or tolerated.
We call on authorities, human rights organizations, and leaders of all faiths to stand firmly against this rising trend of disrespect toward Islam. Protecting religious sanctity is not optional, it is a duty and a global responsibility.
Our faith deserves respect. Our sacred practices deserve protection.
And we demand justice.
I join my brothers and sisters to strongly protest the use of the Hijab (Niqab) in an upcoming Nigerian movie produced by one Ms. Bolanle Ayo. The Hijab is an outfit deeply attributed to Muslim women that symbolizes respect, modesty, and religious devotion. And, I believe it should not be used as a mere costume in a movie, especially when the scenes it portrays are clearly associated with negative moral vices.
Using the Hijab in such scenes is a profound disrespect to our mothers, sisters, and daughters. This garment is a symbol of respect, and portraying it in a manner that suggests otherwise is offensive to those who wear it for religious purposes.
The producers of this movie should have considered alternative costumes, such as balaclavas or masks, for such scenes. For us, the Hijab (Niqab) is not worn by our women to hide their identity to commit crimes but to respect, follow, and abide by the teachings of our religion.
I join well-meaning Nigerians in calling on the producers of this movie to respect our religion and remove all the scenes where the Hijab is portrayed negatively. We also urge the National Film and Video Censors Board (@nfvcbng) to censor these hurtful scenes to protect the dignity of those who wear the Hijab.
We hope that our concerns will be addressed promptly and appropriately.
Cc:
@hanneymusawa, @alinuhu
Shaibu Husseini, PhD @igalaman