Shatu Sani Garko’ (born 23 November 2003)[1] is a Nigerian model and beauty queen who was crowned the 44th Miss Nigeria in 2021.[2][3] Winning at the age of 18, she is notable for being the first Muslim to win the pageant.[4][5]
Background
Garko is an indigene of Kano State, Nigeria.[6] Although raised a Muslim, she attended a Catholic secondary school where she faced bullying. As a model, Garko was advised to ditch her hijab to succeed in the industry, which she refused. [7]
Miss Nigeria
In 2021, Garko became the first Muslim to win Miss Nigeria in the pageant's 64-year history, and the first hijabi alongside pharmacist Halima Abubakar. [8]
Criticism
Garko's Miss Nigeria victory was met with opposition from Hisbah, a Muslim purist group in Northern Nigeria. Hisbah criticised Garko's participation in the pageant, describing her actions as "illegal" and a bad example to young Muslim girls. In an interview with BBC Hausa, the Kano state Hisbah board chairman, Muhammad Harun Ibn-Sina, confirmed Garko's parents had been invited to a meeting with the Hisbah board for questioning. [9]
References
- ↑ Ayeni, Tolulope (2021-12-18). "Shatu Garko biography: Profile of first hijab-wearing Miss Nigeria". KikioTolu News. Retrieved 2021-12-28.
- ↑ "18-year-old hijab model Shatu Garko wins Miss Nigeria 2021". Punch Newspapers. 2021-12-18. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
- ↑ "18-year-old Shatu Garko crowned 2021 Miss Nigeria". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2021-12-18. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
- ↑ "Miss Nigeria crown dia first hijab wearing queen". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
- ↑ editing (2021-12-18). "18-year-old Hijab Model Wins Miss Nigeria Beauty Pageant". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
- ↑ "Shatu Garko, 18-year-old hijab model, crowned Miss Nigeria 2021". TheCable Lifestyle. 2021-12-18. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
- ↑ I Was Told To Take Off Hijab
- ↑ 18-year-old Hijab Model Wins Miss Nigeria
- ↑ Hisbah to Grill Shatu's Parents