Nigerian State Bans Mixing Of Men And Women In Public
KATSINA, Nigeria (AFP) - A northern Nigerian state has banned the mixing in public of men and women following the introduction of strict Islamic (Sharia’) law, officials said Friday.
The Katsina State government earlier this year introduced strict Sharia’ law banning the drinking of alcohol and other activities considered vices under Islam.
Last week, officials here went a step further by ordering an end to the mixing of men and women in publicly owned buildings or spaces, a government official told a correspondent.
Legislation presented to the state assembly this week would extend that ban to privately owned properties - hotels and homes - he said.
Under the terms of the bill, men and women would not be allowed to mix in public or in private unless they were family.
An AFP correspondent seeking to organize a wedding celebration here next month was told he would have to find a hotel with separate rooms for his male and female guests.
Most residents of Katsina appear to believe, however, that the law, if passed, would be unenforceable and note that dancing and festivities are a major part of local culture.
Although drinking has been banned for months under Islamic law, several places exist in Katsina where alcohol is sold and drunk.
Since Nigeria returned to civilian rule last year, nine northern states have introduced or declared plans to introduce Islamic law, though one of those has partly gone back on the decision.
Interpretations of the law vary from state to state and in many places the measures announced have so far been mainly symbolic.
