On Saturday, 15th May 2021. Al Birr Islamic Foundation organised a press conference in order to stop the harassment being meted out on hijabies/Niqaabies in connection to the recent theft case making rounds on social media.

Speaking at the conference, Aminata Jaiteh,  a member of the foundation said: “Let not the harassment and mockery make you remove your hijab, fight or do something which is against the Deen especially in the markets.” She added that “Sisters shouldn’t feel bad just because they’re being mocked or harassed while following the commandments of their lord.”

Sheikh Hama Jaiteh also said: “It’s so sad and unfortunate, if for instance, a man wears female outfits and goes out to steal from a shop, would that be justice to say that all men are evil?  I don’t think so. Simple logic and justice and objectivism, will not agree to the idea of a man wearing outfits meant for females, because men are not supposed to wear such. So if a man wears such clothes to do something bad, you just arrive at the conclusion that all men are evil, simply because just one man disguised in a female outfit to do something bad.

But the fact is that, it is not the judgment that is unjust but it is rather the intention which is not sincere. That’s why if the intention is not positive, and Allah revealed in Surah Al Hujurat that we shouldn’t be having negative vibes about each other, because if you do, you always will go extra miles in trying to dig out their misfortunes or mistakes. And as a human beings, the moment you trying investigating him, you would most certainly end up finding a mistake.”

Shaykh Hamma also addressed the journalist by quoting a verse from the Qur’an that they shouldn’t be rumor mongers like those that used to exist during the time of the Prophet (SAW).

“And there used to exist three sets of people; the hypocrites, those in whose hearts is a disease and the rumor mongers who were involved in misinformation, under-information and disinformation material. Spreading information which is based on hearsay, an information you yourself sharing it, knows fully well that it’s not true, but you simply just want to tarnish somebody’s image.

The role of the media is not only to gather information and disseminate it, but the media is here to do the right thing, giving objective to everything from different objective angles. Your role is not just about writing or simply just plagiarising what someone has already said, that’s not all you should be doing, but you are also Muslims, you must just come on board and be soldiers and warriors, use your pens, your cameras, and your media so that you can do the rectification and do reformation and re-orientation of the people.”

Ibrahim Cham also advice the Sisters to bear patient and follow the commandments of Allah. “women have been commanded to cover their  body in a manner that will not cause any temptations to the opposite sex. Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” He said.

 

By Fatimah Sonko