On Monday, the court directed Hisbah, the Islamic morality police, to ensure the couple, Idris Mai Wushirya and Basira Yar Guda, get married within 60 days.
The couple had posted videos showing themselves hugging and kissing, which is considered inappropriate in Kano’s conservative Muslim society.
“The court decided that since the two are in love and shared their romance on TikTok, they should get married,” said Baba-Jibo Ibrahim, a spokesperson for Kano State’s judiciary. “The marriage must happen within 60 days .”
Idris Mai Wushirya and Basira Yar Guda, who has dwarfism, were popular on TikTok before the video raised concerns. Wushirya was arrested for sharing the video, which violated local moral guidelines.
“We have received the court order and are preparing for the wedding,” said Abba Sufi, the head of Hisbah. “The couple has agreed to get married, and we plan to carry out the wedding as soon as possible. We are also contacting Basira’s family, who live more than 300 kilometers away in Zamfara State, to seek their approval.”
Kano is known for its Islamic traditions and is home to Kannywood, the Hausa-language film industry. In 2022, local authorities began more closely monitoring social media content, including platforms like TikTok.
Baba-Jibo Ibrahim said that the rise of social media has raised concerns among religious leaders. He explained that videos like the one shared by Wushirya and Guda are seen as conflicting with the moral values of society.
According to him, the court’s decision is meant to protect these traditional values.
The court’s ruling has sparked a debate over the role of social media in societies with conservative moral beliefs. Some see this as a restriction of personal freedom, while others view it as in line with the cultural and religious values of the area.
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