The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
has asked Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana to withdraw his ‘This is Nigeria’ video and
apologise to Nigerians, or face legal action.
In the recently released video, some
girls dressed in hijab were seen dancing the “shaku shaku” dance.
Responding to criticisms that
trailed the video, Falz explained that the girls were a representation of the
abducted Chibok girls still in Boko Haram captivity.
But MURIC, in a statement by Ishaq
Akintola, its director, said the dancers in the video in no way depict
the situation of the girls.
The group also condemned “a
character that dressed like a Fulani man, who suddenly abandoned his
traditional guitar and beheaded a man” featured in the video.
Describing the video as
“thoughtless, insensitive and highly provocative,” MURIC said it could brew
religious and ethnic crisis.
It also said the video is spiteful
and intended to denigrate Islam and Muslims.
“MURIC rejects Falz’ explanation
that the girls in hijab in his ‘Shaku Shaku’ dance symbolize the Chibok girls
because nothing in the video indicates that the girls represent the Chibok
girls,” the statement read.
“At least none of the Chibok girls
have been seen dancing like a drunkard. They are always in pensive mood. Do
they have any cause to be dancing? Are they happy?
“The video manifests ethnic bias
against Fulanis while it ignored the criminal activities of ethnic militia of
the Middle Belt who have also massacred Fulanis and rustled their cattle in
their thousands.
“It is a hate video. This video has the
potential of causing religious crisis of unprecedented dimension.
“It is an assault on the
self-dignity of every Muslim. It is freedom of expression gone haywire.
“We therefore demand its withdrawal
and an apology to Nigerian Muslims within seven days or the authors and their
agents will face legal action if they fail to comply.
“Only the scenes portraying police
brutality and the money-swallowing snake in the video are near the truth.”
The group called on security
agencies and the National Film And Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to clamp
down on the video.
“We call the attention of security
agencies to this hate action,” the statement continued.
“We remind Nigerians of the outcome
of similar provocative actions in the past and their unpalatable outcomes.
“The National Film And Video Censors
Board (NFVCB), a regulatory agency set up by Act No. 85 of 1993 to regulate
films and the video industry has a case to answer. ‘Shaku Shaku’ video was shot
and released under its watch.
“Instead of going violent, Nigerian
Muslims should take those behind the ‘Shaku Shaku’ video to court in order to
serve as a deterrent to others.
“We therefore give notice of
impending legal action against the artist behind the ‘Shaku Shaku’ video unless
the latter is withdrawn and an apology is widely published within seven days.”
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