The Emir of Dutse in Jigawa State, Alhaji Muhammad Hamim Nuhu Sanusi, has asked political, religious leaders and the general public to to help curb violence against women in Nigeria.
He made the call when a delegation from the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) and the Centre for Islamic Civilisation and Interfaith Dialogue, Bayero University, Kano, visited him in Dutse under the Ford Foundation-supported gender-based violence prevention project in Northern Nigeria.
He said the growing menace of violence against humanity was a serious source of concern, as the habit appears to be inhuman, against religious doctrine and good cultural discipline.
“Violence against women is a challenge that is growing, especially among rural dwellers in Jigawa state and Northern Nigeria. It is un-Islamic and repugnant”
“Islam has provided adequate provision in protecting women, children, and the vulnerable,” he said, adding that the rights of women are sacrosanct in Islam.
“There, we must jointly work to enforce Sharia and other laws that guarantee protection for women and other vulnerable people in the society.”
Emir Hamim Sanusi commended the group and assured them of his emirate’s support in fighting gender-based violence and other social crises.
Earlier, Professor Taufiq Abubakar, director of the Centre of Islamic Civilisation and Interfaith Dialogue at Bayero University, said they were in the palace to solicit royal blessings and support in their campaign against Gender-Based Violence.
“The campaign title, ‘Muslim Opinion Leaders Prevention against Gender Based Violence Project is an intervention initiated to address the increasing rate of violence against women and children”.
He noted that the MOLs have so far sensitised over 150 Jumaat mosque Imams, 100 Sharia Court Judges, and 60 female dawah leaders on the role they are expected to play in the fight against GBV.
“In marriage, Islam makes it obligatory for husbands to care for and protect their wives. After childbirth, a mother and child must receive increased care and support, with the father being responsible for the child’s well-being.” He added
Prof Taufik maintained that Islam has strictly prohibited all forms of violence and harm against women and humanity, but this repugnant, disgusting behaviour is becoming rampant in society; therefore, it is necessary to jointly fight it to save society from drifting into total moral collapse.
In his comments at the occasion, the Coordinator of the Muslim Opinion Leaders GBV prevention project, Barrister Omar Ahmad Umar, disclosed that they are working on compiling Quran verses, Hadith, and other Islamic Jurisprudence that discuss women’s and children’s rights, and the copies will be spread for enlightenment and law enforcement.
