- The Kano State Government clarified that a Hisbah official’s claim to defend LGBTQ rights did not represent the Hisbah Board’s position
- The Hisbah Board reaffirmed that Kano’s Shariah law prohibits same-sex marriage and that they will continue to take action against any LGBTQ activities in the state
The Kano State Government has clarified a social media post linking the Hisbah Board to LGBTQ advocacy, reaffirming that the state’s Shariah law prohibits same-sex marriage.
A widely circulated video featured a man claiming to be a Hisbah official defending LGBTQ rights. The Commander General of Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, addressed the media on this issue in Kano on Monday.
Daurawa confirmed that while the person in the video is a staff member, he attended the workshop independently and did not represent the Hisbah Board, contrary to his claims.
Sheikh Daurawa emphasized Hisbah’s ongoing conflict with gay clubs, popularly called ‘Yan daudu’ in the state. “Everyone is aware of how we are battling with Yan daudu. We raided and shut down events associated with gay persons in the state,” he said.
He asserted that Hisbah would continue to take action against any organization or individual promoting LGBTQ activities in Kano, urging them to leave the state as they have no refuge there. “We are aware that some NGOs in the state promote the LGBTQ movement. And we will not allow them to continue with what they are doing,” he said.
Daurawa also stated that the Hisbah official in the controversial video would face disciplinary action. “We have since transferred this case to our disciplinary unit, and I am sure they will deal with him accordingly,” he said.
He called on the public to be vigilant against the activities of LGBTQ members, warning that they are present throughout the state, spreading and recruiting youths into their clubs.
The implicated Hisbah official, Idris Ahmed, expressed ignorance about the meaning of LGBTQ and apologized to the Hisbah Board. “Honestly, all I know about this organization is they were into empowering women. And I attended their workshop several times, not knowing what they were actually promoting. In fact, I didn’t know the meaning of the word LGBTQ. I am apologizing to Hisbah for what I did,” he said.
State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had directed Hisbah to take action against organizations promoting LGBTQ under the guise of addressing gender inequality.