* MPAC Frowns At Disrespectful Portrayal of Niqab, Hijab
* It’s satanic’ — MURIC calls for ban on ‘extremely anti-Muslim film’
* Attire just a disguised costume for characterisation: Producer
* We’ve placed demand order on film, NFVCB Boss assures Muslims
The Muslim community has vehemently condemned Nollywood star, Nancy Isime and others, including the producers for the disrespectful depiction of Muslim women in an upcoming movie they featured.
Preliminary graphics on the yet-to-be-released movie showed Nancy Isime and some of the actors dressed in hijab and niqab (the prescribed dress for Muslim women) wielding guns in what appears to be a bank robbery scene.
The actors have since come under harsh criticisms from Muslim netizens who contended that the scene was hurtful to the sensibilities of Islam.
They have since invoked the wrath of Allah on the Edo-born actress and other Islamophobe filmmakers for the unprovoked disrespect to Islam and the Muslim women.
Femi Adebayo, a Muslim, is being dragged by netizens for associating with the project. Netizens wondered why he failed to sensitise the crew or opt out in defense of the Islamic attire.
Some, however, are not surprised due to the Ilorin-born actor’s glorification of idols in movies and relationship with a beer brand, which is prohibited in Islam.
The social media has been awash with comments expressing displeasure since the actress posted the offensive pictures on her Instagram page on Wednesday, as they called for punitive action on the producers.
#Muslims have invoked the wrath of God #NancyIsimi over disrespectful portrayal of #Niqab in a yet-to-be-released movie, calling on the producer to delete the offensive scenes and urge @nfvcbng to ensure compliance and protect religious symbols from ridicule in the name of Arts. pic.twitter.com/l15vlrtsSW
— Muslim News Nigeria (@muslimnews_NG) July 25, 2024
You have disrespected me, my religion and everything that I represent: Niqabi
A Muslim lady, Sister Adiba Hayah’s video went viral where she slammed the production team of the movie for disrespecting the Niqab, which she uses in obedience to her Creator.
She said, “You have disrespected me, my religion and everything that I represent. The Niqab is not a costume, you do not use it to represent unspeakable things in the society. There are other things you could use. You chose to use the niqab. Before you come under this post to throw tantrums and tell me it is no business of mine to make a review about this, you should see this. My issue is with the use of hijab and niqab in what obviously looks like a robbery scene; that makes no sense. Hijab is not a costume, it should not be used as such.”
I find it very offensive, LajFingers declares
A renowned Muslim author and Hijabi, Lateefah Adewunmi Jumah famously known as LajFingers on social media also expressed disappointment over the movie scene, which she found offensive.
According to her, “This is a new Nigerian movie, I guess. I find it very offensive. The niqab/hijab is not an armed robbery attire. The niqab/hijab is not an attire for concealing identity. If you needed to conceal your identity for a perfect robbery role, you could have used a nose mask or wear a mask, why wear an Islamic attire? If you needed a perfect costume for a robbery scene, why didn’t you just wear lagbaja style? I find this offensive. Something needs to be done to stop this people. Niqab/Hijab is not a costume, neither is it a joke.
It’s satanic’ — MURIC calls for ban on ‘extremely anti-Muslim film’
In her reaction, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) strongly condemned Nancy Isime and other actresses wearing the Niqab and brandishing weapons.
MURIC described the movie as “satanic” and called for its ban, citing concerns that it depicts Muslim women as criminals and incites the public against them.
In a statement on Thursday, MURIC’s Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, expressed outrage over the movie’s content, stating that it is part of a plot to stop Muslim women from wearing the hijab and niqab.
The statement read: “An extremely anti-Muslim film has been released into the Nigerian movie industry. The upcoming film, which was recently unveiled by Nancy Isime, shows women in purdah brandishing dangerous weapons and robbing a bank. It is Islamophobia taken to the highest level. This film is satanic, repugnant, and provocative.
We have tracked and reached out to the producer of the film. #NancyIsime 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. – @nfvcbng #Hijab #Niqab pic.twitter.com/l37TwNihw4
— Muslim News Nigeria (@muslimnews_NG) July 25, 2024
“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 the hijab.”
MPAC worried about disrespectful portrayal of Niqab, Hijab
Also reacting, the Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), expressed deep concern on the movie, saying it depicts a disrespectful portrayal of the niqab.
“As an organisation dedicated to upholding the principles and values of Islamic ethos, the Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) is deeply concerned about the recent portrayal of Islamic women’s attire in an upcoming movie.
A scene from the movie, shared on Instagram by one of the producers under the username bolanle_ayo, depicts a character dressed in the niqab (veil) engaging in armed robbery in a bank.
“This portrayal is not only inaccurate but also disrespectful, as it misrepresents the sacredness of the niqab, a garment that holds significant religious importance for Muslim women,” a statement signed by the Executive Chairman of MPAC read.
MPAC urged the filmmakers to immediately remove the scenes from the movie.
The group also charged the appropriate regulatory bodies to take a stand against the misrepresentation, noting media contents must respect the rights of all religious communities.
“The niqab, contrary to being a mere “black cloth”, is considered a divine commandment from Allah by millions of Muslim women around the world, as instructed in Qur’an 33:59. Thus, it is worn by many believing women as a symbol of modesty and devotion. To depict it in a manner associated with criminality not only distorts its true meaning but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes. Such representations can lead to misunderstanding and prejudice, which are detrimental to the social fabric and unity of our diverse society.
“In response to this concerning portrayal, MPAC urges the filmmakers to immediately remove the offensive scene from the movie. We also call on human rights organizations and government bodies to take a stand against such misrepresentation. It is imperative that they ensure that all media content respects the dignity and rights of all religious communities, promoting harmony rather than division or reinforcing harmful stereotypes.
“At a time when our youths require positive role models and messages that promote moral integrity, it is crucial for media creators to show integrity and portray all communities with respect and accuracy. We appeal to all involved in the film’s production to ensure that their content aligns with values of respect, tolerance, and truthfulness, as these are the core teachings of Islam and are integral to maintaining harmony within our society.”
MPAC said it is ready to engage in dialogue and collaboration with media producers, human rights advocates, and government officials to foster a media landscape that reflects the diverse and rich cultural fabric of the country.
Attire just a disguised costume for characterisation: Producer
Following the widespread discontent that trailed the upcoming movie, one of the producers identified as Bolanle Ayo on Instagram, explained that the costume was not used to make any religious statement.
Last year, @davido took down an offensive music video after backlash from Muslims, who are now calling on #NancyIsime & producer to delete scenes that desecrate #Niqab from their movie. Islamic attires incl. #hijab, aren't costumes to be disrespected! They're Muslims' red lines! pic.twitter.com/aMF0USbCUr
— Muslim News Nigeria (@muslimnews_NG) July 25, 2024
According to her, it was a disguised costume for characterisation.
“I am one of the producers of the movie. This is to address the concerns of the black attire used in the making of the movie. We want to take this opportunity to clarify and assure you that, the costume was in no way used to portray the Islamic faith or the catholic faith. We treat every religion with respect.
“This is just a disguised costume for characterisation. There is no plot device that contributes to any negative stereotypes. The costume was not used to make any religious statement. We understand the importance of accurate representation, and we strive to depict all cultures and religions with sensitivity. We encourage you to wait and see the film in its entirety when it is out to get a complete understanding of the character and the story,” she said.
We’ve placed demand order on film, NFVCB Boss assures Muslims
In a swift reaction, the Director-General of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Dr Shaibu Husseini disclosed that the controversial movie has not been submitted to the board for classification, adding that a demand order has been placed on the film.
By the demand order, he told Muslim News in an interview that the film cannot be released until it is brought to the board for classification.
“The film has not been submitted to us for classification. However, we’ve been able to reach out to the producer of the film. Nancy Isime did not produce the film. Somebody else produced it, and it has not yet been released. It is in post-production,” the DG noted.
“We have placed a demand order on the film and we have told the filmmaker that even though we have not seen the film, these are the concerns that have been raised, and we want those concerns addressed before it is formally sent to us for classification. So, the issues will be addressed.”
The NFVCB boss said as trained theatre artists, they don’t encourage direct depiction of religion or what people hold in sacred.
“Anybody in Islam that uses the veil rarely comes out of the house, not to talk of carrying a gun. They think it’s just a costume, but you can’t use people’s religious direct depiction. We don’t do direct depiction of what people hold sacred.”
He stressed that the board has reached out to the film producers even when they have not submitted the movie for classification.
“So, we reached out to the producer. We have had a wonderful discussion, and it is going to be addressed. The film has not been submitted to us for classification, but because these concerns have been raised, we have the responsibility to reach out to the filmmaker before it comes out. We have told them categorically that those depictions cannot be allowed.
“The board can only act on a film it has seen and has been brought to them for classification. It is good the Muslim community raised this concern before the film was brought to us. The film is post-production. So it’s a good time to take action than when it is released. But we will not as a board see that film and allow it go. It has not been brought to us for classification.
“The board has been trying its best. We have issued warnings at various times that filmmakers can express themselves but they should do it within the ambit of the law and the limits of social harm and religion. Don’t do any work that will abuse religious, sociocultural sensibilities. The country is so tough now that people don’t want anything that will bring their religion or culture down.”
