Sokoto Hisbah Bans DJs and Mixed-Gender Weddings

The Sokoto State Hisbah Board has implemented an immediate ban on various practices at weddings and social gatherings, including the use of DJs, mixed-gender entertainment, and extravagant bridal gifts, which they describe as un-Islamic innovations. During a press briefing on Tuesday, Commander Malam Usman Abdullahi Jatau stated that these measures aim to protect the state's religious and moral values in accordance with Islamic teachings.

The board specifically prohibited the marriage introduction ceremony known as “Na Gani In So,” where prospective grooms present assorted gifts to the bride’s family, asserting that it lacks basis in Islamic teachings. Jatau urged families to embrace simplicity in marriage ceremonies to avoid financial burdens.

He warned that the Hisbah Board would strictly enforce these directives and that violators would face sanctions. The board also advised couples to minimize wedding costs to prevent debt and hardship for young families.