An Islamic cleric, Sheikh Yelma’e, has refused to offer prayers for the late Nollywood actor, Murphy Afolabi, citing that he usually acted out roles that went against the teachings of Islam.
In a video posted on YouTube and shared on Instagram by @mufasatundeednut, the cleric said it would be hypocritical for him to pray for Afolabi, who often played the role of a herbalist or spiritist in Yoruba movies.
According to Yelma’e, while the actors may view such roles as jokes, Islam is against practices such as herbalism, witchcraft, or wizardry.
He added that there was a need for religious teachers and students to begin reflecting on portrayals of actions that go against Islamic teachings in the movies.
Dr Femi Olugboji, a lecturer in Film and Media Arts at Lagos State University, reacted to the cleric’s statement, saying that while Islamic scholars argue against the portrayal of images of human beings, media content that misleads the public is what is forbidden, and entertainment can be used for educational purposes.
Olugboji expressed the need for practitioners in the entertainment industry to understand their audience and what they want from the media. He argued that if Afolabi’s works were misleading, he wouldn’t have been popular in the first place.
The demise of Afolabi, who was born in Osun State, left Nollywood fans in mourning. The actor died at 49 years old and has already been buried.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that while everyone is entitled to their beliefs, it is necessary to respect the dead, regardless of their faith or profession. Afolabi was a renowned actor who brought joy and laughter to the screens, and he should be remembered for his contributions to the Nigerian entertainment industry.
