- A Muslim group, MURIC has condemned a film featuring Nancy Isime and others wearing niqab, calling for its ban.
- The film is deemed “satanic” and “Islamophobic,” perpetuating negative stereotypes and potentially inciting unrest.
- MURIC believes it’s part of a plot to discourage Muslim women from wearing hijab and niqab. They urged calm and assured that action is being taken, emphasizing that Islam promotes hope and peace.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has vehemently condemned an upcoming film featuring actress Nancy Isime and others wearing niqab, an Islamic garment, and has called for its immediate ban.
In a scathing statement, MURIC described the movie as “satanic,” “Islamophobic,” and “extremely anti-Muslim,” alleging that it portrays Muslim women as criminals and incites public hostility against them.
Professor Ishaq Akintola, Director of MURIC, warned that the film could spark unrest in Nigeria and urged the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to investigate and impose an immediate ban on the film. He emphasized that the movie is a deliberate attempt to vilify Muslim women and perpetuate negative stereotypes.
MURIC believes that the film is part of a larger plot to discourage Muslim women from wearing hijab and niqab, a plot that has been unfolding in schools and has been challenged in Nigerian courts. The organization assured Nigerian Muslims who have expressed outrage over the film that action is being taken and urged them to remain calm and peaceful.
MURIC emphasized that Islam promotes hope and peace, and they will not allow anyone to misrepresent Muslim women in a negative light. They encouraged Muslims to be good ambassadors of their faith and allow the authorities to take necessary action against the film.
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 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.”
“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.”