Why MURIC will no longer take legal action against Falz for controversial video
MURIC has retracted its threat to take Nigerian rapper FalzTheBahdGuy to court over the imitation of hijab girls in his This Is Nigeria music video.
The Islamic organisation had called the part of the video, which saw the girls dance ‘Shaku Shaku” in their hijab attire, offensive and provocating.
In a statement on Monday, however, the MURIC’s director, Ishaq Akintola said the group has resolved to drag the artist to government agencies that are responsible for censoring films and videos.
“Our office has since been inundated with solidarity visits, while our telephone lines have been flooded with a deluge of calls from members, friends, well-wishers, journalists and other concerned Nigerians, majority of whom are of the Islamic faith,” the statement read.
“In deference to pleas made by well-meaning Nigerians, in order to keep faith with our avowed motto (Dialogue, Not Violence) and to further confirm that MURIC is a listening, mature and responsible organisation committed to promoting peace in Nigeria, the Think-Tank resolved to drag the artist to government agencies saddled with the responsibility of censoring films and videos.
“It is not a U-turn but a sudden change in tactics.”
The group said the new move “will have a more enduring impact not only on Falz but the entire industry” as it will make agencies sit up to their responsibilities.
“MURIC is no longer contemplating court action against Falz, neither are we demanding any apology from him or his management,” the statement further read.
“The likely pecuniary gain in the event of a court validation of our claims does not interest us. We are no longer looking at Falz but at a larger picture.
“The matter will now go to those government agencies who are supposed to do their jobs in the first place. Instead of creating media tension and granting cheap popularity, this matter will now be handled by professionals who know what to do.
“In the interest of peace, law and order, we are calling on the National Film And Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to take up the matter from this moment.”
Furthermore, MURIC maintained that the video is “offensive and provocative,” saying it “portrays Fulanis (and Nigerian Muslims) as killers”.
The group said that the video “is capable of igniting crisis and precipitating a general breakdown of law and order”.
