Famous Islamic cleric, Dr Idris Abdulazeez’s comment on Kannywood’s practitioners has sparked serious debate among fans of the Hausa filmmaking industry and practitioners. The Bauch State-based cleric, in one of his lectures, said the filmmakers were not religious.
When the video of the cleric’s lecture went viral in almost all the social media platforms, some of the industry’s practitioners began to react to his assertion.
Kannywood actor, Sadiq Sani Sadiq, who doesn’t usually get involved in issues related to the industry on the social media, did a video condemning the cleric’s assertion. Sadiq said he was proud to be associated with filmmaking and wished to continue with the life of an actor till he breathed his last.
“It is unfortunate that such comment is coming out from someone who claimed to be an Islamic scholar. I am what I am today because of filmmaking and I am willing to allow my children to take after me if they so wish. I wish to continue with the life of an actor till I breathe my last. I have no regret being in Kannywood,” he said.
Another actor and singer in the industry, Musbahu M. Ahmad, also did a video challenging the cleric over poke-nosing on the industry. He said the cleric’s comment was uncalled for and didn’t conform to Islamic teaching.
“Do you want us to bring a religious practitioner to you? What would you do with him or her? We felt bad that such insinuations are coming from someone who claimed to be a cleric. I will advise that the sheikh should concentrate on teaching the doctrine of Islam and not what he is doing recently,” Ahmad said.
But unlike other actors, Adam A. Zango said the cleric’s comment should not be totally condemned because the practitioners needed to change their attitude. He said the practitioners gave room for the misconception of the industry. He added that there was need for reformation in the industry.
“Our actions and behaviours, especially on the social media, have given room for all sorts of interpretation and misconception of the industry. We shouldn’t totally condemn the cleric but rather look inward and correct our mistakes.
“The industry truly needs serious restructuring. For over a decade I have been praying to God for a change in career if filmmaking is not the right path for me, yet he has kept me growing stronger in it,” Zango said.
Another practitioner based in Jos, the Plateau State capital, JBoy, said the cleric was right and those castigating him were doing so on selfish interests. He said Kannywood had been a hub for all sorts of atrocities, adding that it is true that the practitioners are not religious.
“We have to tell ourselves the truth – what we are doing is out of the way and no one can erase that from the minds of the public.
“The industry is indeed full of people with different dubious characters that need spiritual intervention. What the cleric said is just the truth and we have to accept it the way it is. I am praying to God to bless me with a clean career so that I will leave this sector. I don’t want to die in this industry. God knows that we are not doing the right thing,” he said.
Since the cleric’s video went viral, various individuals have engaged in a debate on the matter – while some people are in support of his assertion, others are castigating his view on the filmmaking practitioners. However, in a fresh video, the cleric maintained his position and prayed for the salvation of those against his view.
