Muslim group urges NFVCB to ban Falz’s Video

The furore surrounding the recent release of the controversial video by Falz titled ‘This Is Nigeria’ which is a cover version of Childish Gambino’s viral video, ‘This is America’ is yet to simmer.

Ever since the video was released, the rapper has gained plaudits for tackling social ills in a country where pop stars rarely get political, while he has also received knocks in some quarters for its offensive nature.

Fresh trouble is now brewing for the artiste as the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Falz, ordering him to withdraw the video and apologise to Nigerians or face legal action.

In a statement by MURIC signed by its director, Ishaq Akintola, the group said it is offended that some girls dressed in hijab were dancing ‘shaku shaku’ in the music video.

The group in the statement also described the video as thoughtless, insensitive and highly provocative and intended to denigrate Islam and Muslims.

The statement by MURIC read thus: “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.

“At least none of the Chibok girls have been seen dancing like a drunkard. They are always in the 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.

Read also: Forbes lists Davido, Wizkid, Falz as Africa’s U-30 industry wave makers

“It is a hate video. This video has the potential of causing a 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.”

Recall that after facing a lot of backlash with many critics positing that it was flagrant of him to turn sensitive issues in the country into a satire, Falz in explaining the essence of the video, said the musical clip was done to address societal ills.

 

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