Charitable Islamic group Al-Birr Association has warned Gambians against attempts aimed at bringing the Muslim veil and abaya dress into disrepute.
There has been suggestion those who wear the Muslim dress are often either thieves or into other not-so-good acts.
But Al-Birr in a statement said: “Following the shocking video of two veiled women shoplifting at a clothing shop around the 1st of May 2021, Al Birr Association (a charitable organization for the wellbeing of Muslim women in the Gambia) has decided to do a press release regarding the unfortunate incident. Gambian women of all religions are respectable, dignified and very hardworking. Consequently, it is indeed shocking to see these two women stealing from a clothing shop cash reported to be over 200,000 Dalasis. A couple of days after, another video went viral on social media showing the same two women, this time unveiled in their normal outfit. One can safely conclude that these women may not be hijab wearing women. The questions then are: why were they in veil (hijab) in the first video? Was the hijab used as a cover?
“The reason for this release is to urge the general public to desist from abuse of a very decent clothing (the hijab) which is prescribed by the Almighty Allah for Muslim women. Islam generally speaks of women with high regard and dignity. There are a lot of decent women of excellent character, both hijab and non-hijab. These two sisters probably used the hijab for the wrong reason.
“That should not be the reason to humiliate & harass the rest of God-fearing women and girls in our streets and markets. Most times you hear statements like “These ibaadus (veiled women) are thieves”. Such remarks are an insult to many decent women & girls out there. We solicit the understanding and cooperation of the general public to respect all women & girls especially the veiled ones. Al Birr will therefore hold a Press Conference very shortly.”
