Another group condemns Nancy Isime’s latest movie, says it portray Muslim women negatively

Stanley Ihedigbo

Another group, Coalition for Global Peace (CGP), a multi-stakeholder peace advocacy group, has condemned Ms Nancy Isime’s movie, where hijab and niqab, Islamic modes of dressing for women, were adorned by characters in a robbery scene.

According to the Lead Facilitator, Coalition for Global Peace (CGP), Com. Tajudeen Alabede, their attention has been drawn to the snippets of a movie posted on Instagram by an actor and film producer, and negative portrayal of Muslim women and their religious symbols is distasteful and condemnable.

“Expectedly, the insensitive Instagram post stirred the hornet’s nest as the public space has witnessed a deluge of reactions from Muslims and other critical stakeholders.

“The explanation offered by Ms Bolanle Ayo, one of the movie’s producers, that “this is just a disguise costume for characterisation” is a lame afterthought.

“The Coalition is miffed by the display of a lack of social awareness about the peculiar nature of Nigeria’s cultural diversity by Ms Isime and the movie’s producers. Besides, their insensitivity betrayed a gross disrespect for their diverse audiences, many of whom may be Muslim women in hijab and niqab. Or was their action a deliberate attempt to court controversy and gain a moment of infamy that may echo into eternity?

“Whatever may be the motivation, we wish to remind Ms Isime and the producers of the movie that film is a powerful, double-edged cultural tool, a misuse of which may precipitate unintended negative consequences. For professionals in the culture sector, a special attention to cultural awareness and self-regulation is imperative”, he emphasized.

The Coalition for Global Peace, therefore, calls on Ms Nancy Isime and the producers of the movie to tender a public apology to Muslims and retract all materials related to the offensive content from the internet.

“We equally urge the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), as the gatekeeper for the film industry in Nigeria, to place a ban on the movie until the needful is done.

“Lastly, the Coalition appeals to stakeholders in the culture sector to be mindful of the potential impact of their works on religious harmony in the country. Their creative outputs should respect and celebrate Nigeria’s cultural diversity.