Fula women protest after police allegedly strip muslim woman’s headscarf during arrest

Published: July 24, 2025

MONROVIA — Outraged members of Liberia’s Fula Muslim community flocked to the streets of Monrovia on Thursday, condemning the Liberia National Police (LNP) for religious disrespect and brutality after officers allegedly pulled off a Muslim woman’s headscarf during a raid.

The protest, led predominantly by Fulani women, erupted after a viral video showed a chaotic scene during an arrest in the capital. In the footage, a visibly distressed woman, identified only as Zainah, clutches her child as she resists several officers believed to be accompanying a Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) team investigating power theft. The confrontation reportedly took place on Wednesday, July 23, at her Monrovia residence.

During the scuffle, Zainah is seen throwing what appears to be soup at one of the officers. Moments later, her hijab is forcibly removed, an act that many in the Muslim community described as both humiliating and deeply offensive.

By early Thursday morning, dozens of Muslim women, some crying and others chanting “Justice for Zainah,” held a peaceful protest along Carey Street. Holding signs that read “Muslim Women Demand Justice” and “National Fula Governor Demands Accountability,” the demonstrators called for swift action against the officers involved.

“We are not against the law, but we demand respect for our faith,” said one protester. “No man—especially an officer of the state—has the right to strip a woman of her dignity and religion.”

The alleged assault on Zainah has ignited a broader debate about police behavior, especially in communities that have been historically marginalized or viewed with suspicion. For many in the Fula community, the incident was not just an isolated event but part of a larger pattern of profiling and harassment.

In response to public backlash, the LNP released a statement Wednesday night acknowledging the severity of the allegations. Inspector General of Police Gregory O. W. Coleman has since ordered “a full and impartial investigation” into the incident.

“The Liberia National Police has taken swift action in response to an alarming video circulating on social media,” the statement read. “We condemn any form of aggression, misconduct, or Disrespect by our officers will not be tolerated.The police assured the public that they recognize the cultural and religious sensitivity surrounding head coverings in Islam and promised transparency throughout the investigation. “The rights of all individuals must be respected, regardless of religion or background,” the statement added. It was signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police and LNP Spokesperson Cecelia G. Clarke.

So far, the Liberia Electricity Corporation, whose enforcement team accompanied the officers during the raid, has not commented publicly on the controversy.

As calls for accountability mount, rights groups are also weighing in. The Liberia Muslim Council has demanded not only disciplinary action but also a formal apology to the victim and the wider Muslim community. “This is about more than one woman,” said a senior imam in Paynesville. “It is about state agents understanding the boundaries of faith, decency, and human rights.”

The LNP says it will provide regular updates as the investigation moves forward. But until answers are given and justice is seen to be done, the community protests, peaceful for now, show no signs of stopping.