Residents of Kano State now live in fear, as Muslim groups are allegedly planning to attack the Hausa film actress, Maryam Usman, popularly known as Hiyana, over her x-rated video phone-clip circulating in the state, a move described by the Islamic group as immoral and abuse of Shariah law.
The clip caused public outcry in the state, which resulted in her expulsion by filmmakers association, along with 17 other members.
Executive Secretary of Kano Film Censorship Board, Alhaji Abdulkadir Kurawa, in a press release made available to THISDAY, said the banned actress� participation in film will threaten peace enjoyed in the state.
The other 17 members according to the release, were not connected to the phone clip, but were involved in immoral acts like homosexuality, fornification and drunkenness, contrary to Islamic law. Islamic clerics in the state have already urged their supporters to shun the film industry .
Kano which the home industry of Hausa film, being most of the people spoken the language across the state was now put under tight security due to fear over the escalating crises as a result of video phone clip that became topic of discussion at every corner of the city, while the sharia police, Hisbah denied knowing the move to cause unrest in the state. Police spokesman in kano,SP. Baba Mohammed when THISDAY correspondent contacted by phone declined to comment, but assured that police are ready to disperse and arrest anybody move to cause panic in the state, adding that “I�m assuring that our people are always on ground and ready to ensure law and order� said police spokesman .The state film censorship board also described the video phone clip as act of barbarism and disgrace to humanity, the culture and norms of good people of kano as well as gross violation of Islamic system a situation which they totally condemned and banned from circulation in the state. However, the censorship board on behalf of the Government and the film industry apologize for the misdeed committed by this artiste and appeal for calm as the matter is under control, assuring that such utterances will not occur in future. One of the suspended film actress told THISDAY under a condition of anonymity that� We�re not criminals because the action taken on us is just like a joke, because majority of big men you think are befriending us� she said. According to her, “I am assuring you that this issue is just mockery, and if meet my Alhaji, the said suspension will be change, appealing to other affected 16 to be calm and keep their ears shout” THISDAY reliable source who does not want his name printed said “the video phone clip was sent to Governor Shekarau, who watch it and ask the censorship board to consider the action that deserve for the actress, and that’s why they banned her for five years� according to the information. Mallam Sulaiman Ramat is an entertainment reporter with a local Newspaper in kano, said the video phone clip is not intentionally recorded, because its just a social life of the two lovers, which to me nothing related to film. He said the film industry is just like a training ground of prostitution in the state, as majority of the female actress are practising prostitution, adding that government is aware of them. Our correspondent gathered that the film actress in the state was being supported by top government official who are friending them as their prostitutes, due to their logical appearance to advertise themselves in their film show.
Aug162007