The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has put a hold to its decision to sue rapper Folarin Falana popularly known as Falz over his recent controversial music video titled This Is Nigeria.
MURIC had issued Falz a seven-day ultimatum, demanding that he withdraw the video and also tender an apology to Muslims in the country.
This Is Nigeria featured, among other things, hijab-wearing female choreographers dancing Shaku Shaku and a man appearing to behead an individual, The Cable reports.
In a recent statement, the Islamic group said that in deference to pleas made by well-meaning Nigerians, it has resolved to drag the artist to government agencies that are responsible for censoring films and videos.
The statement signed, by Ishaq Akintola, the director of the group, read: “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.
“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.
The group stated that the new move will have a more lasting effect not only on the musician in question but on the entire entertainment industry as it will make agencies take their duties more seriously.
It said: “MURIC is no longer contemplating court action against Falz, neither are we demanding any apology from him or his management.”
“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.”
Moreover, the Islamic group insisted that the video is “offensive and provocative,” stressing that it “portrays Fulanis (and Nigerian Muslims) as killers.”
MURIC also remarked: “The video is capable of igniting crisis and precipitating a general breakdown of law and order.”
