Muslim women condemn rape, gender violence

Ahmadiyya Muslim Women have condemned in strongest terms the high rate of rape/ gender-based violence incidents against women and girls in Nigeria.

“After holding a virtual meeting and training against rape and violence against women in Lagos, we the Muslim women describe the current ugly development across the country as sad and unfortunate, considering the vulnerable nature of this group of people and their crucial roles in the society as homemakers and mothers”, the women said.

Islam frowns at any form of violence against women and regards rape as a grievous crime under the Sharia (Islamic law).

Rape is referred to as “al-zina bi al-akhira“ by Muslim jurists and is defined as forced cohabitation by a man with a woman who is not his wife.

“We cite the glorious Quran 4, verse 35 where Allah (swt) stated that ‘’Men are guardians over women….’’.

The tradition of the Holy Prophet of Islam (saw) on respected status of women in Islam that states that “When a Muslim girl is born, she becomes the reason for her father to enter Jannah.

“When she grows up and marries a man, she completes half of the religion of her man.

“And when she becomes a mother, Paradise lies under feet for her children”.

Therefore, when you raise a female child successfully, you have raised a nation because from her would future generations be borne.

“We therefore canvass for a special care for a girl/lady/woman  as “jewels and never to be regarded as object of ridicule or molestation”.

“We also commend the federal government of Nigeria on the sex offenders register launched last year but pointed out that there is urgent need for the government to back it up with an enabling law for penalties against perpetrators of this violent act to serve as deterrent and discourage future occurrences.

“We the Islamic Women group urge the House of Assemblies in the states to pass the Bill on ‘Rape and gender violence”.

Hajia Taofeeqah Fagbolade, Sadr/ President, Lajna Imaillah Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Nigeria