By
Sara S. & Wali Ahmad
It’s pretty common to hear Islamic phrases like “Assalamualaikum” and “MashAllah” in your favorite rap hits, but the recent discovery of rapper Nicki Minaj following popular Muslim scholar Mufti Ismail Menk on Twitter has turned the Muslim community on its head, with many speculating about Minaj’s personal religious beliefs. It’s honestly left us all in shock.
Mufti Menk of Zimbabwe is an esteemed Muslim figure on social media who is known for his motivational lectures and large platform following.
WAIT A SEC, NICKI MINAJ FOLLOWS MUFTI MENK ON TWITTER? SIS IS HALAL pic.twitter.com/xqHSvusHoV
— ???????????????????? | Track 3 & 10 of SM4 (@wwyitmcardigan) August 14, 2020
Nicki Minaj follows Mufti Menk she’s going to convert to islam inshaAllah. Go and check her handle if u didn’t believe she’s following him???????????????????? pic.twitter.com/jsNJYuOjbt
— B A B A G A N A???????? (@darmaa_jr) November 20, 2019
Although the entire situation may have confused many of us, Mufti Menk decided to voice his own view on the situation in a short YouTube video, explaining that Minaj following him on social media is something that is nobody’s business except her own.
“SubhanAllah, she happens to be following a lot of people on Twitter and Instagram…in the entertainment industry, and at the same time, for some reason, follows me,” said Mufti Menk. “Now, people are very inquisitive, but trust me, you don’t need to know.”
He also included in his statement about Minaj following him that not everyone who follows him necessarily agrees with him, and that it’s possible that Minaj is perhaps looking at Islam from a new perspective by following his Twitter page.
“Not everyone who follows you agrees with you,” said Mufti Menk. “Some people follow you because they disagree with you and they just want to see what you do. In this particular case, whatever the reason is, big deal?”
Mufti Menk’s follow up video has gained over 420k views as of August 18th, and has also been circulating around Instagram and Twitter, reaching thousands more.
I’M SCREAMING MUFTI MENK MADE A VID ABT NICKI MINAJ FOLLOWING HIMSNJSJSJSJ pic.twitter.com/J4Fhv9jxH5
— سلوت (@binteurope) August 16, 2020
The news of Minaj following Mufti Menk has received mixed reviews over the internet, and a lot of young fans have stormed TikTok with videos of their reactions as well.
@khamzahan ##muslim ##hijab ##hijabi ##nickiminaj ##barb ##fyp ##muftimenk
@lailarooshen bruh it’s just so funny to me ???? ##foryou ##foryoupage ##fyp ##muslim ##islam ##muftimenk ##afghan ##arab ##middleeastern ##desi ##nickiminaj ##HurtMyFeelings
With all the TikToks, Tweets and memes being made about the situation, Mufti Menk hopes that his followers understand the importance of spreading positivity regardless of Minaj’s religious affiliations.
“I’m happy, and I pray, InshAllah, that it’s a means of goodness for everyone, and a means of guidance for one and all,” said Mufti Menk.
So, the question still lingers, is Minaj making plans to go to Izlam? We won’t know until she makes a legitimate statement, but her Plain Jane remix may have spoken for itself.
READ MORE: Netflix Cancels Hasan Minhaj’s ‘Patriot Act’ After Six Seasons
CULTURE
