TheCable

Some Twitter users came down hard on Amina Mohammed, deputy secretary-general of the United Nations (UN), for supporting gay rights. 

In a tweet on Saturday, Mohammed called for equal rights to be extended to gay, lesbians and bisexuals. 

Let’s #Standup4HumanRights to #LeaveNoOneBehind & ensure a life of dignity for all. #Pride #AcceptanceMatters pic.twitter.com/lDp09Dg9dg

— Amina J Mohammed (@AminaJMohammed) June 29, 2019

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Displeased with her stance, some Twitter users lashed at Mohammed, describing her appointment as a “curse”.

“If this is what it means for Northern women to get educated and go to high places, then curse on their education & going to high places,” Hidima, one of the users, tweeted. 

“Your education, your civilisation & your appointment at the UN could be a curse to you. Remember, you will account for all your actions.”

If this is what it means for Northern women to get educated and go to high places, then curse on their education & going to high places.

Your education, your civilization & your appoitment at the UN could be a curse to you. Remember, you ll account for all your actions.

— Hidima® (@RealOilsheikh) June 29, 2019

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Reacting, Omar Saad, another user wrote, “The world is coming to an end. The signs are everywhere. Fellow Muslims forgetting about their own religion. May Allah make us to b amongst those who’ll not abandon nor forget about Islam as our religion and Qur’an as our guidance.”

The world is coming to an end
The sings are everywhere
Fellow Muslims forgetting about their own religion
May Allah make us to b amongst those who’ll not abandon nor forget about Islam as our religion and Qur’an as our guidance

— official_Omar (@OmarSaad9966) June 29, 2019

For Olayinka, another user, “it would have been better if you declined that job. Supporting gay marriage is not same as supporting equal rights. We are believers and we are a people with culture. On this one, you are very wrong and as a Muslim woman, please think it well. This world is ephemeral.” 

Madam, it would have been better if you declined that job. Supporting gay marriage is not same as supporting equal rights. We are believers and we are a people with culture. On this one, you are very wrong and as a Muslim woman, please think it well. This world is ephemeral.

— Ola~Yin~ka (@a_rasaq) June 30, 2019

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Another user with the name Pharmaco described Mohammed’s tweet as disappointing, as she is “supposed to be an ambassador of Islam at the UNGA not supporting what Islam is fighting.” 

This is so disappointing!!! You supposed to be an ambassador of Islam at the UNGA not supporting what Islam is fighting.

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Apart from religion, it is against your culture and tradition as a Nigerian.

Please Ma, have a second rethink. Choose your Qiyama over this small world.

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— Pharmaco-Politician (@MM_Altine) June 29, 2019

He adds that, “apart from religion, it is against your culture and tradition as a Nigerian.” 

In 2014, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan signed a legislation outlawing homosexuality and imposing prison terms of up to 14 years for people prosecuted under the law. The law also criminalised homosexual clubs, associations and organisations. 

Arguing with this, Yasir Jubril tweeted that, “Even under Jonathan, Nigeria refused to accent to gay laws, Arne Kenan fa, here our very own Muslim yar Arewa, kin bamu kunya, iliminki ya kaiki GA hallaka.”

Even under Jonathan, Nigeria refused to accent to gay laws, Arne Kenan fa, here our very own Muslim yar Arewa, kin bamu kunya, iliminki ya kaiki GA hallaka.

— Engr. Yasir Arafat Jubril (@oil_shaeikh) June 29, 2019

Some users, however, came to her defence, hailing her for promoting all human rights.

“So proud of you for promoting all human rights not just some human rights. This is a true sign of a muslim and many of us stand with you,” a user who identifies as Xeenarh wrote.

So proud of you for promoting all human rights not just some human rights. This is a true sign of a muslim and many of us stand with you

— xeenarh ?️‍? (@xeenarh) June 30, 2019

Mallam Oseni also tweeted in support saying, “Nigerians never fail to show how disgusting and backward they are with the slightest chance. Madam carry on with your good work for humanity, some of us are proud and in support of your cause.”

Nigerians never fail to show how disgusting and backward they are with the slightest chance.

Madam carry on with your good work for humanity, some of us are proud and in support of your cause. #Pride #AcceptanceMatters

— MallamOseniPrinceM(Gerald) (@MrOseniPrinceM) June 29, 2019

span style=”font-weight: 400;”>Mohammed, a former minister of environment, was sworn in as deputy secretary-general of the UN in 2017.