The Muslim community of Nigeria has voiced displeasure following the release of a movie poster depicting actresses robbing a bank while wearing Niqabs.
Muslims vowed to submit a complaint with Meta, Facebook and Instagram’s parent company, seeking action against the account guilty for spreading what they characterized as “Islamophobic content” after the movie poster was uploaded on Facebook.
A Facebook user called Latifat Adewunmi Jumah blasted the film, saying, “The niqab/hijab is not an armed robbery attire! The niqab/hijab is not an attire for concealing identity.”
She said, “If you needed to conceal your identity for a perfect robbery role, you could have used a nose mask or worn a mask. Why wear Islamic attire?
“I find it offensive. Something must be done to stop these folks. “Niqab/Hijab is neither a costume nor a joke.”
Another Facebook user, identified as Alfa Shehu, wrote, “And one of our brothers from Ilorin is kuku in the movie with them. Hypocrites! It is these same people who will turn around tomorrow and say women in Niqab are doing this and doing that. Awon alarun opolo gbogbo. Anything for clouts and monetisation.”
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has weighed in.
On Thursday, July 25, the group issued a statement signed by MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, calling for the ban on the yet-to-be-released film.
MURIC labeled the film “satanic,” claiming that it portrays Muslim women as criminals and incites the public against them.
The statement read, “An extremely anti-Muslim film has been released into the Nigerian movie industry. The upcoming film shows women in purdah brandishing dangerous weapons and robbing banks. It is Islamophobia taken to the highest level. This film is satanic, repugnant, and provocative.
“It is aimed at portraying Muslim women as criminals with a violent proclivity. The film is capable of inciting the public against Muslim women. It may also expose Muslims in general to public ridicule and opprobrium.
“We believe that the film is the handiwork of Muslim-haters and part of the plot to stop Muslim women from wearing hijab and niqab. The plot was hatched a long time ago, and its execution began in the schools. This plot was boldly and diligently confronted in Nigerian courts by Muslims until the highest court in the land made a pronouncement on it. This Satanic film is the latest effort in the war against hijab.”
Akintola said that the film has the potential to set Nigeria on fire if quick action is not done by the right authorities, calling the National Film and Video Censors Board to investigate and immediately ban the film.
He added: “To Nigerian Muslims who have inundated our communication channels with video clips, voice notes, and other types of messages, we have this to say: please remain calm and peaceful. You have spoken loud and clear.
“We have received your messages and action is being taken right now. Our religion brought a message of hope and peace to the world. We will not allow anyone to paint our women, our mothers, our wives, our daughters and sisters in the colours of Shaytan. Be good ambassadors of Islam. Don’t take the law into your hands. Allow the authorities to take necessary action.”
