The Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu has ordered an investigation into Kannywood actress, Rahama Sadau, after her backless gown attracted blasphemy call from the North.
Rahama Sadau is a Nigerian actress, filmmaker, and singer. Born and raised in Kaduna, she performed in dancing competitions as a child and during her school years. She rose to fame in late 2013 after joining the Kannywood movie Industry with her first movie Gani ga Wane
The actress recently shared her some racy pictures on her social media handles, sparking controversy and blasphemous comment on the Holy Prophet Mohammed.
In the photos, which were posted on her social media pages on Sunday, the talented Kannywood star poses in a tight-fitted pink gown that exposed her skin from her neck down to the upper section of her waist.
“May you enjoy outstanding breakthroughs and joy this new month. Ameen #HappyNewMonth,” the 26-year-old wrote in one of the posts.
Sadau’s fashion choice, however, didn’t go down well with a number of her conservative Muslim colleagues, some of whom quickly condemned her as having committed “haram”, an act that is forbidden by Islamic law.
This has since provoked arguments on Twitter as some users also came to her defense
Ms Sadau later issued apology, pulled down the pictures and condemned the blasphemy.
Writing on her Facebook page, Miss Sadau said she regretted posting the pictures, following “condemnable and regrettable” tweets that are blasphemous against Prophet Muhammad, SAW.
She also dissociated herself from “these derogatory & hurtful words”.
“Salam, it’s sad and unfortunate waking up to series of unexpected messages, tags & trends over the harmless pictures i posted. As a human, I laughed at some, frowned against many & disapproved most. To the most unfortunate event, some of these comments took a different dimension.
“Having mixed followers, bashing each other’s faiths to the extent of creating trends like “Assistant Allah” (subhanallah), raining curses and some tweeting blasphemous words to our Prophet Muhammad (SAW) – this is the height of it and it stands condemnable and regrettable.
“I’m with all sense of sincerity, dissociating myself from such derogatory & hurtful words. To everyone who knows me or follows me, should know I’m not the type that react to anything or embrace advices from social media moral police. But my Prophet & religion is where i draw the line.
“Any disrespect to my religion and Prophet regarding those pictures remain condemned and reprobated, not in any way & not on any event.
“The perpetrators should learn to separate people’s way of life and respect for their faiths. I remain defender of my Prophet in heart, online and offline. I deeply and sincerely apologized for the unseen circumstances that led to these avoidable, yet regrettable dramas.
“It’s in human nature to judge others and act as saint, I appreciate those who felt offended & decided to call me out through DM’s, Text messages & phone calls. That’s true love & I’m never taking that for granted. EVER!
“Lastly, To the bloggers & everyone that saw a chance to trend, I do not wish for you what you wished upon me.
“Live & Let Live”
An authoritative Kannywood magazine, FIM MAGAZINE, on Saturday reported that the actress shelved a family trip to Dubai and made a detour to Kaduna to honour the police invitation.
The magazine further reported that the actress would have been arrested in Abuja, but for the intervention of a senior police officer, who prevailed on his colleagues to allow her submit herself for questioning in Kaduna.
In a letter signed by the Principal Staff Officer to the IGP and addressed to the Kaduna State Police Commissioner, the police boss directed the CP to take proactive measures to prevent breach of peace over the blasphemy.
“I am to convey the directive of the Inspector General of Police that you treat proactively with a view to ensuring that the development does not result to any act that could threaten public peace and security.
“The Inspector General of Police further directs that you furnish him with updates, accordingly,” the letter, signed by DCP Idowu Owohunwa, read in part.
Contacted for comment on the matter, spokesman for the Kaduna State Police Command, Mohammed Jalige, said he was on casual leave outside his station.
Rahama Sadau suspended from Kannywood
The Motion Picture Practitioners Association of Nigeria, an umbrella body of northern filmmakers, issued a statement announcing the suspension of the actress from Kannywood.
The statement, signed by Al-Amin Ciroma, the national public relations officer of the association, stated that it had ‘dissociated itself from Rahama Sadau’s insolence’.
A writer and journalist, Gimba Kakanda, wrote on Twitter, “Kannywood men appear in English movies, cuddling, hugging and kissing non-mahram women, and we don’t see outrage. But Rahama Sadau shared her photos and Kannywood filmmakers are making videos to call her a disgrace and announcing her ban from the industry. What’s this nonsense?”
Another commenter, @Kayy added, “Northerners should please leave Rahama alone. She is an adult. She knows and understands Islam and she is responsible for the outcome of her afterlife. Nobody can live her life for her.”
However, condemning Sadau’s outfit, a Twitter user, @AM_Saleem wrote, “Rahama Sadau is probably the most immoral and indecent Arewa Twitter lady. That post was totally wrong and she’ll explain that to her creator. This isn’t the first time she would do this. We are sinners too but it is better to cover one’s sin privately than to make it public.”
@_M_Abba wrote, “Nobody of Rahama Sadau’s age can say they don’t know that indecent dressing in Islam is haram. So, why worrying yourself about correcting her? Just drink cold water and mind your business. We are in a free world and death too is inevitable.”
It will be recalled that Sadau had earlier been suspended from Kannywood in October 2016, for hugging ClassiQ, a Hausa indigenous rapper, in a music video.
