Shatu Garko is the first hijabi to be crowned Miss Nigeria and her emergence as the new queen on Friday, December 17, is an eye opener for many other hijab-wearing models.
Garko, who loves riding of horse, represented the Northwest region during the beauty pageant and beat 17 other contestants to be crowned queen.
There was massive celebration when the 18-year-old made history and social media went agog as adorable photos of the new Miss Nigeria lit up the internet.
Kano hisbah speaks
Nigerians were still celebrating the young lady’s achievement before the commander of Kano State Hisbah Corps, Sheik Harun Ibn Sina, decided to comment on what Garko has done.
The young lady is from Garko Local Government Area of Kano State, a state that practices sharia law, and this is why Sheik Sina said the Islamic police would be inviting the lady’s parents over for questioning.
Sheik Sina said Garko’s participation in the beauty pageant was illegal in Islam and they would let the parents know so she could stop and not influence other Muslim girls.
The statement didn’t sit well with many Nigerians who took to social media to express their displeasure with it.
Some, however, agreed with Sheik Sina, saying Islam isn’t in support of beauty pageants.
Many who disagreed with hisbah accused the Islamic police of hypocrisy, saying they choose who to criticise depending on societal class and status.
Interestingly, Garko isn’t moved by hisbah’s comment or other criticisms she has been receiving since she was crowned Miss Nigeria.
According to her, there is nothing she can do about the crown now that she’s wearing it.
A dream come true
Dreams come true and Garko’s emergence as Miss Nigeria is a factual representation of this statement.
Garko said when she was a little kid, she loved wearing toy crowns and her sister would call her a princess.
The young lady said she had always wanted to become Miss Nigeria because of the beauty queens she saw while growing up but had no idea how she would be crowned.
Despite being a model who wears hijab, Garko’s dream came to fruition and she has given many people hope that their dreams are achievable.
