Pascal Oparada
Nigerians are reacting to the wedding dress worn by the new wife of Yusuf Buhari, President Muhammadu Buhari and Aisha Buhari’s son.
Zahra Bayero, Yusuf’s wife, had worn what ordinarily is an outlawed dress in Islam and would have earned her severe punishment if she was married to a common person.
The wedding dress which exposes Zahra’s upper body, would have been termed a taboo if worn by ordinary Muslims, Nigerians say.
The Islamic moral police, Hisbah, in Kano had warned of circulating the wedding of the A-list couple on social media, threatening of severe repercussions if flouted.
However, despite Hisba’s warnings, Nigerians have continued to circulate Zahra’s picture at the wedding.
Many said it seems there is a different rule for the poor and another for the rich.
#ArewaTwitter, a group of northern youths who love to call out so-called immoral acts by adherents of the Islamic faith, has also been silent.
Last year, the group had called out Kannywood actress Rahma Sadau, over the photographs she shared on Twitter. As far as the Arewa Twitter was concerned, Sadau’s gown was immoral.
A petition was filed by one Mallam Lawal Gusau against the actress before the former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, who ordered the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Umar Muri, to probe her.
With photos of Yusuf Buhari’s fiancee in her gown now viral, one @Drmuzoic reached out to #ArewaTwitter to get their opinion, saying, “Is she not a Muslim? #Arewatwitter what say you?”
Reacting to @Drmuzoic’s post, activist Aisha Yesufu said, “She is not one of the poor. The political Sharia practised in Kano is only for the poor. Hypocrisy at its stinking worst!
She also cited a post of hers from last year which had her lashing out at those behind political Sharia.
According to Aisha Yesufu, “When it was time to have political Sharia for their selfish gains, they embraced it and set the poor masses to riot for it. They never practised the Islamic Sharia nor used the teachings on themselves; but when it comes to poverty alleviation and illiteracy eradication, they are missing.”
Reacting to the photos, @iooxyl said, “Hair open. Shoulders open. No hijab. Shame on hypocrites.”
An activist in the #EndSARS protest of October 2020, Rinu Oduala, tweeted, “LmoooowhereisHisbahooooooo.”
@valentinevincee said, “Sharia and Hisbah are only for the poor and hungry. The elites will always put up laws to strangle the poor, while the rich are untouchable. Ganduje’s daughter wore worse and no one said a thing.”