The Kano State Hisbah Board has been chastised for inviting the parents of 18-year-old Shatu Garko, who was crowned the first hijabi Miss Nigeria over the weekend.
Harun Ibn Sina, the board's Commandant-General, had previously stated that participating in beauty pageants was against Islamic beliefs.
"We researched and discovered that the female named Shatu Garko is from Kano State and an indigene of Kano State's Garko Local Government Area, where Hisbah is also employed," he stated.
"It is completely forbidden in Islam since it contradicts Islamic beliefs and practices." Immorality is prevalent, and it (the beauty contest) fosters female immorality."
Reacting, some Nigerians have said the Hisbah’s intention to invite Garko’s parent for her actions was uncalled for.
Former lawmaker, Sani Shehu tweeted, “Ms Shatu Garko contested Miss Nigeria pageant decently dressed. She has not cross the line of our cultural standards here in the North. There are the daughters of the rich and the powerful that have done that with impunity. I appeal to the Hisbah religious authorities to let her be.”
Contributing to the matter, activist, Aisha Yesufu said, “So my daughter will participate in beauty pageant and Hisbah will invite me?! Kai! I laugh in unmade D! They will know that day that all of us have bed in psychiatric hospital! Nonsense and rubbish! Nobody has monopoly of violence and foolishness!”(sic).
Another Tweet, FS Yusuf said, “Is this outfit unreligious?? What is Hisbah ambition in Northern Nigeria? Someone gotta put a stop to this oppression! What nonsense!?”
Surayyah Ahmad lamented on the alleged uneven application of the rules, saying, “The laws in Kano state are apparently just made for the poor. The ones whose parents are not excellencies or royal highnesses. If these laws are general we would have seen the Hisbah inviting all the rich parents.”
Meanwhile, journalist, Gimba Kakanda said the invitation was unnecessary as they are pressing issues affecting Muslims.
He tweeted, “I just feel Hisbah enjoy having Muslims, especially northerners, subjected to ridicule. Inviting Shatu Garko’s parents is absolutely unnecessary, no matter their intention. There are critical issues affecting the Muslim society, and none is a teenager partaking in Miss Nigeria.”
Read Also: Shatu Garko, becomes first Muslim to win Miss Nigeria
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