Introduction The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, has made a bold statement against domestic violence. Speaking at the National Dialogue Conference on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention, he emphasized that Islam prohibits all forms of harm, including wife beating. The event, themed “Islamic Teachings and Community Collaboration for Ending Gender-Based Violence”, was organized by Bayero University Kano’s Centre for Islamic Civilisation and Interfaith Dialogue (CICID), in collaboration with the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), with support from Ford Foundation. Sanusi’s Stand on Domestic Violence The Emir shared alarming statistics from nine Shari’a courts in Kano over five years: Sanusi criticized the misuse of Islamic teachings to justify wife beating. He clarified: “Beating your wife or any woman is haram. It is prohibited in Islam. Allah commands that all harm must be removed.” Raising Awareness Among Families Sanusi revealed his advice to his daughters before marriage: “If your husband slaps you, slap him back. If you come to me without retaliating, I will slap you myself. Violence against women is unacceptable.” He stressed the need for parents to teach their daughters self-respect and their sons to respect women. According to him, violence undermines the dignity of human beings and must be eradicated. Key Contributions from Stakeholders The event highlighted collaborative efforts to combat GBV: The Conference’s Broader Vision The National Dialogue Conference coincided with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It aimed to: Conclusion Emir Sanusi’s outspoken stance against domestic violence challenges cultural norms while emphasizing the Islamic prohibition of harm. The conference showcased the power of community collaboration in addressing GBV and highlighted the critical role of religious leaders in reshaping societal attitudes. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
