A Twitter user, @RedCloakedGirl has told Nigeria men to stop calling muslim women, "Alhaja."
In her defence, she said the term, "Alhaja," was used to guilt-trip them based on their "Muslimness."
She explained that some men used the appellation as entitlement. However, she described the act as very creepy.
She went full blast into a thread, which goes thus:
"Some of you insist that it's a form of "endearment" but you sound so fucking creepy. Do you feel good calling woman you aren't close to "Honey."
"If you do, you are a fucking creep. You can take your entitlement away from us.
"Calling us "Alhaja" is a form of erasure. Say our names. Learn our names. It is very much connected to the way you view us; subservient and not worth the stress.
"A lot of Nigerian Muslim women can attest to how, when we find the courage to be ourselves and speak out, we are castigated and shamed.
"We hear "Aren't you an Alhaja?"
"You know what's worse? How you all (Muslim & non-Muslim men) sexualise us. If you're wearing hijab, you're seen as hiding "treasures" & you're reduced to what is under the veil. It's far worse if you're wearing niqab. We are seen as sexy, but God help us if we show we are sexual.
"All of you, Muslim & non-Muslim men need to fix up. I don't care what choices Nigerian Muslimahs are making and whether it fits into your idea of liberated, conservative, right or wrong. Let us make choices without boxing us into your stupid expectations. WE DON'T LIVE FOR YOU.
See reactions below:
You're welcome ????. I know how this feels, when someone/something doesn't feel right. Trust your guts and stick with it.
— ???? (@RedCloakedGirl) June 4, 2020
Tbh, you should continue to rationalise this. People are to be referred to by their names. It’s not until they are called alhaja/alhaji that they will be kept in check. These women especially have the hijab to do that for them. Listen to us when we speak.
— Aeesha Yusuff ???????????????? (@allthingsaeesha) June 5, 2020
This is literally a thread explaining these things she has experienced and y’all refuse to listen. Unless you’re a hijabi, you shouldn’t even use the “I’ve not seen all these” as a counterpoint to everything she’s said.
— Aeesha Yusuff ???????????????? (@allthingsaeesha) June 5, 2020
...just like we call some of our obviously upright Christian brothers 'Pastor'. However, he who wears the shoes know where it pinches the most, so your point is well taken and noted????
— Ashade Itunu (@AshadeItunu) June 5, 2020
You sound really angry.
— MOONSHINE //C.E.O (@ill_nojie) June 5, 2020
I always thought alhajia is the female version of an Alhaji. ??????? and I think I share that idea with many other non Muslims
Anyways sha. We go dey alright .
alhaja calm down, i don’t care!
— grin baba ???? (@evagrin_) June 5, 2020
This issue is very small to me. The first time you meet someone especially those that have certain features to distinguish them from regular people. The first thing that goes to your head is that you should address them first with what they are look like e.g
— I'm_Teejay #SayNoToRape (@IbrahimTeejay8) June 5, 2020
A Thread
