In a sweeping move to curb what it describes as the “moral decay” fueling divorce rates, the Bauchi State Hisbah Commission has unveiled 16 stringent guidelines targeting weddings and social gatherings. The new rules, which ban practices like DJ performances, gala events, and traditional ceremonies such as kawayawade and aloba, are set to reshape the cultural landscape of celebrations across the state.

The commission, tasked with enforcing Sharia law, argues that extravagant weddings and raucous entertainment have stripped marriages of divine blessings (baraka), leading to a surge in failed unions. “These practices promote indecency and distract from the sanctity of marriage,” a spokesperson stated, citing Sections 95, 362, and 373 of the Bauchi State Sharia Penal Code as the legal backbone for the crackdown.

Venues such as event centers, clubs, and recreational spots will now face strict monitoring, with Hisbah officials warning of immediate enforcement. The ban extends to mixing genders at gatherings, a common feature in traditional celebrations, which the commission claims fosters “un-Islamic behavior.”

The decision follows a troubling pattern of marital breakdowns reviewed by the commission. “Many couples start their unions with haram (forbidden) activities, and the consequences are evident in our divorce courts,” the commission noted. Instead of mass weddings for divorcees—a previous approach—the state has shifted focus to vocational training, equipping over 500 women, including former sex workers, with entrepreneurial skills to promote financial independence.

Religious leaders are being drafted as allies in the campaign. Imams across Bauchi will incorporate the new guidelines into mosque sermons, framing compliance as both a spiritual and civic duty. “We urge the public to embrace these measures for the sake of societal purity,” the commission appealed, signaling a zero-tolerance stance.

While conservative factions have welcomed the move, critics argue it infringes on cultural expression. “Weddings are a celebration of joy. Must everything be policed?” questioned a local event planner. Others fear the rules will push celebrations underground, creating a black market for entertainment.

As Bauchi grapples with balancing tradition and religious orthodoxy, the Hisbah’s latest edict marks one of the most aggressive attempts to legislate morality in recent years—raising questions about the future of social life in the state.