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Nigeria theatres
shut by Sharia
11 May 2007-
Nigerian Islamic police have demolished four theatres in the
north-western state of Kano in a campaign to stamp out anti-social and
immoral behaviour.
The demolitions
come after a reported lesbian marriage between a woman and four partners
in one of the theatres.
Although the
women denied the reported wedding, the Sharia police, known as the
Hisbah, have decided to pull down theatres in the ancient Muslim city.
The Hisbah
accused theatre owners of turning their businesses into brothels.
"The way they
have been spoiling and polluting our culture and religion is no longer
acceptable that is why we feel demolishing the theatres," Hisbah leader
Abubakar Rabo told BBC.
"Those theatres
are no good. The whole purpose of permitting those theatres to operate
in Kano has been compromised.
"It's either
they are harbouring harlots or drug addicts and we can't allow that."
Already, the
Sharia police have demolished four theatres and say more will have to
go.
The Hisbah
group, which is run separately from the police, receives state
government support.
But the theatre
owners have denied the accusations and headed for the courts.
"They are saying
that we are committing crimes against Islam which is not true. They are
giving people wrong perception about us, actually," Magaji 'Yan Maidi.
Lesbianism is
illegal under Nigeria's penal code and the national parliament is
considering tightening its laws on homosexuality.
Eleven other
states in mostly Muslim northern Nigeria have adopted Sharia law.
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