The famous Imam of Kanifing Mosque Imam Baba Leigh, has added his voice on the controversial topic currently making rounds on social media. According to him, commercial sex workers should not be rob of any financial assistance because of their profession.

Following The National Aids Secretariat (NIA) plans to to extend financial assistance to commercial sex workers whose business have been gravely affected by the current global pandemic, some notable Islamic scholars including the public, criticized the move and called on the government to prioritize those funds to institutions and individuals who truly need help.

One of the prominent figures of NAS said, he has been described by some Islamic Scholars as an illegitimate son following the report of his institution’s  intention to extend COVID-19 relief to sex workers

According to the straightforward Imam Baba Leigh, humanitarian support should be need-based and not profession-biased. “If you are helping somebody, are you helping him/her as a person or based on profession? If you want to support someone, help the individual as a human. When it comes to help, nobody should be discriminated against as far as you’re in need,” He emphasized.

He added that labeling someone as a sex worker is an offence in Islam. “In fact, it is always dangerous to label somebody as a sex worker or harlot. I’m not comfortable using sex worker. Labeling somebody as a sex worker is haram.”

 

By: Fatoumatta Samateh