By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
Nine months ago, Hausa movie actress, Rahama Sadau, was harangued by conservative Muslim groups led by Hisbah, self-proclaimed morality police, for wearing a backless dinner gown.
The conservative Islamists caused her to be suspended from featuring in Hausa movies, also known as Kannywood. The Motion Picture Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MOPPAN), an umbrella body for the Hausa movie industry, said they would close the door against Rahama for wearing such an outfit.
The Nigeria Police unexpectedly became involved, claiming the reaction over the backless gown she wore, led to blasphemous comments against Islam Prophet. The then Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, then directed the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Umar Muri, to investigate the matter.
The storm was too much for Rahama. She immediately deleted the photo on her social media handle, apologised to the Muslim community and then appeared in an old and tired outfit to show she was remorseful. Then the storm receded.
Nine months after the Rahama’s failed experiment with a western outfit, President Muhammadu Buhari’s daughter-in-law, the wife-to-be of his first son, Yusuf, wore a more sensual dress. This time, there is no storm. This caused many Nigerians to call out Hisbah and other hardliners for their double standards. Nigerians accused them that they psychologically assaulted Rahama but kept mute because it involved the daughter-in-law of President Buhari.
The Yusuf Buhari’s bride-to-be, Zahra Nasir Bayero, is the daughter of the Emir of Bichi, one of the emirates created by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano.
At her bridal shower, she wore a transparent wedding gown that reveals much of her shoulder region with her back bare.
Following the criticism against Hisbah for its double standards, the Hisbah Commission for the Promotion of Islamic Teachings in Kano State reluctantly issued a statement that has no reprimand or criticism against the outfit.
Responding, Hisbah commander Sheikh Harun Ibn Sina told the BBC that the Sultan’s daughter is not above the law and should lead by example if she wants to be blessed in her marriage.
Ibn Sina also criticized those spreading the photos and videos of Zahra Bayero in the dress, saying it was a crime to spread such images