The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) and Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) have called for punitive measures, including the banning of an upcoming Nigerian film featuring women in niqabs committing crimes such as armed robbery.
In separate statements on Thursday, MURIC’s Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, and MPAC’s Executive Chairman, Disu Kamor, expressed their outrage over behind-the-scenes photos shared by Nollywood actress Nancy Isime. The images show Isime in a sleeveless top and trousers, holding a gun, with her head covered by a hijab, alongside other actresses in full niqab.
The photos have sparked backlash, particularly within the Muslim community, leading to an online petition titled “Mockery and Defaming of Muslim Women,” which has gathered over 20,000 signatures.
Akintola criticized the film for depicting Muslim women as criminals, calling it Islamophobic and inciting public hostility toward Muslim women. He said the film must be banned immediately.
“This film is Islamophobia taken to the highest level. It is satanic, repugnant, and provocative, portraying Muslim women as criminals with violent tendencies. It is capable of inciting the public against Muslim women and exposing Muslims to ridicule,” Akintola stated.
He urged the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to investigate and ban the film, and called on Muslims to remain calm and let the authorities handle the matter.
Kamor echoed these sentiments, stating that the portrayal of niqabs in the film was inaccurate and disrespectful, misrepresenting a garment of significant religious importance for Muslim women.
“The niqab is considered a divine commandment from Allah by millions of Muslim women, symbolizing modesty and devotion. Depicting it in association with criminality distorts its true meaning and perpetuates harmful stereotypes,” Kamor said.
MPAC urged the filmmakers to remove these scenes and called on human rights organizations and government bodies to ensure media content respects the dignity and rights of all religious communities, promoting harmony rather than division.
Dr. Shaibu Husseini, Director-General of the NFVCB, stated that the agency has requested the film for review and will address the concerns raised.
“We have reached out to the producer of the film. Nancy Isime is not the producer; she was only featured in the yet-to-be-released movie, which has not been submitted for classification. However, we have placed a demand order on the film and will address the concerns raised,” Husseini said.
(dailytrust)