The Sisters Forum of the Islamic Movement under the leadership Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky has condemned what it describes as a “...
The Sisters Forum of the Islamic Movement under the leadership Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky has condemned what it describes as a “blasphemous act” by the Nigeria Police Force.
The condemnation comes in response to a viral video showing police officers forcefully removing the hijabs of Muslim women who were detained during the 2024 Abuja Arba'een Symbolic Trek.
In a press statement issued by Maryam Sani on behalf of the forum expressed deep outrage over the incident, which she said occurred within the premises of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command.
The one-minute, twenty-one-second video, reportedly recorded by a police officer and later circulated in a WhatsApp group of the police community in Abuja, has sparked widespread indignation among Muslims nationwide.
The Sisters Forum further highlighted that the detained women were also paraded before the media at the SARS Abattoir facility without their hijabs, an act the Forum equates to an egregious violation of religious rights and an affront to Islam. The hijab, described in the statement as a commandment from Allah, is deemed a sacred symbol of Islamic faith and identity.
Quoting the Qur’an, Surah Al-Ahzab, verse 59, the Forum emphasized that hijab is not merely a piece of clothing but a religious obligation and an integral part of Muslim culture.
The statement asserts that the police’s actions have deeply offended the Muslim community, describing the abuse of the hijab as "more painful than the shelling of live ammunition."
The Forum did not mince words in criticizing the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the FCT Police Commissioner, Benneth Igweh, accusing them of willfully disrespecting Islamic values despite their positions as public officers who should uphold the rights of all citizens.
The statement also hinted at the possibility of legal action against those involved, while warning that the repercussions of this "blasphemy" would continue to haunt the responsible officers throughout their lives.
In closing, the Sisters Forum called for justice and accountability, vowing to take the matter to the court of law and to continue raising awareness about the incident both domestically and internationally.
The video and the associated actions of the police have ignited widespread debate on social media, with many calling for an investigation and appropriate sanctions against the officers involved.
The incident adds to the growing concerns over the treatment of religious minorities in Nigeria, particularly in the context of law enforcement operations.
The press release
WE CONDEMN THE FORCEFUL REMOVAL OF MUSLIM SISTERS' HIJAB BY THE POLICE AND CONSIDER IT BLASPHEMY AGAINST ISLAM
Our attention has been drawn to a one-minute, twenty-one-second video taken by a police officer within the premises of the FCT Police Command and shared it in a WhatsApp group of the police community in the FCT Abuja, and later the video went viral on social media showing how the police forcefully removed the hijab of our Muslim sisters, while in police detention. The Muslim Sisters were arrested during the 2024 Abuja Arba'een Symbolic Trek.
Our attention has also been drawn to pictures of people arrested during the 2024 Abuja Abra'een Symbolic Trek paraded by the police on 28 August 2024 to newsmen at SARS Abbatoir. The pictures taken by the newsmen also showed our Muslim sisters without Hijab.
Hijab is a commandment of Allah, the creator of earth and heaven. Allah (T) says in the Qur'an, “O Prophet! Say to your wives, your daughters, and the women of the believers that they should let down upon themselves their jalabib.” (Qur’an: Surah Al-Ahzab, verse 59).
Hijab is our religion, culture, and right, and the abuse of Hijab is more painful to us than the shelling of live ammunition on us. We will not take this abuse lightly.
Certainly, an abuse to Hijab is not just an abuse to the people arrested but to the Muslims and the religion of Islam.
Let us assume both Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police, and Benneth Igweh, FCT Police Commissioner, are not Muslims; we will not believe that during their education, from home training and childhood upbringing at family level through university education and in-service training, they have never learnt how to respect people's religion and culture.
Verily, the leadership of the police is fully aware of the sanctity of Hijab to Muslims; they just decided to deliberately abuse our religion.
First, we condemn the forceful removal of Muslim sisters’ Hijab and consider it an abuse to Muslims and blasphemy to Islam.
Secondly, apart from praying to Allah (T) to curse both Kayode Egbetokun, the IGP; Benneth Igweh, the FCT CP, and all officers that participated in this taboo, we will publicise this abuse to the public (within and outside the country) and also challenge it in the court of law.
Certainly, Kayode Egbetokun and Benneth Igweh have taken this matter to a serious level.
Both Kayode Egbetokun and Benneth Igweh should note that this blasphemy against Islam will continue to follow them, their names and family, during their service as public officers, after their retirement, and throughout their lives here and hereafter.
Maryam Sani
For the Sisters Forum of the Islamic movement, under the leadership of his eminence Sayyid Ibraheem Ya’qoub El-Zakzaky (H),
28 August, 2024
No comments