Kano state Hisbah board has announced that it will be inviting parents of Shatu Garko, the winner of 2021 Miss Nigeria for participating in the beauty pageant.
Garko from Kano state, became the first hijab-wearing contestant to win the much-coveted crown since the pageant debuted in 1957.
Board Commandant of Kano Hisbah, Haruna Ibn-Sina, who disclosed plans to invite the new Miss Nigeria’s parents in an interview with BBC Pidgin, described Garko’s participation in the beauty pageant as “illegal”. Ibn-Sina noted that participation in beauty pageantries is against Islamic tenets, and Garko’s action could encourage other girls to do same.
“We [Hisbah] have confirmed that Shatu Garko is a Muslim from Kano state and her parents come from Garko LGA. Kano is a Sharia state and this is why we will not allow the matter to die like that.
“We will invite the parents to talk to them about the actions of their daughter and the fact that what she did is illegal in Islam. This is to make them know that she cannot continue that path and also stop other girls from copying her”.
Haruna Ibn-Sina
Ibn-Sina also backed the claim with some verses from the Quran, and further claimed that such contest teaches girls “not to be shy and reserved”. The Hisbah Commandant also noted that organizers of such beauty pageants are at the risk of God’s wrath.
“In Islam, it is forbidden for anyone to participate in a beauty contest. A lot of things happen in such contest which is against Islam. For instance, there is usually a lot of people exposing their bodies”.
Haruna Ibn-Sina
Hisbah police have been vocal in enforcing what they term as ‘Islamic provisions’ on people of northern Nigeria whether elite or the masses.
The Islamic police in August 2021 prohibited the sharing of pre-wedding photos of the daughter of Emir of Kano Zahrah Bayero, who married Yusuf Buhari, son of Nigeria President, Muhammadu Buhari, saying “it is a sin”.
Currently, Hisbah police has banned fashion designers, supermarkets, and boutique owners from using mannequins to display clothes in Kano State.
Sina said it “violates Islamic provisions, it is also responsible for immoral thoughts among some members of the public, all these are against Islam”.
On Friday, December 17 2021, history was made at the Landmark Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos amid a night of glitz and glamour as the first Hijabi pageant winner in the world was crowned.
Ms Garko, who hails from Kano State, was also the youngest contestant this year. The 18-year-old horse rider beat 18 other contestants to emerge as the 44th Miss Nigeria. Ms Garko 2021 represented the North-west zone at the competition.
Meanwhile, Nicole Ikot was the first runner-up, while Kasarachi Okoro emerged as the second runner-up at the contest.
The outgoing queen, Etsanyi Tukura, who hailed from Taraba State, handed her successor the crown at the colorful ceremony.
The new queen won 10 million Naira, a one-year residency at a luxury apartment, a brand new car, and other brand ambassadorship opportunities.
During her speech, the new queen mentioned that she is passionate about proving that religion and culture are not barriers to following one’s dreams and achieving whatever a person sets out to achieve. She also promised to uphold the ideals of the Miss Nigeria pageant.
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