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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