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Tag: Hijab

  • CAN nursing bad intention towards Muslims over hijab – Muric

    CAN nursing bad intention towards Muslims over hijab – Muric

    The Muslim Rights Concern has accused the Christian Association of Nigeria of nursing bad intention towards Muslims over the hijab saga.

    The Muslim rights advocacy group was reacting to CAN’s latest statement in which it said Muslim female soldiers were free to wear hijab on military uniform if that would deflect bullets.

    MURIC’s allegation came through a statement on Monday by its Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola.

    It said: “CAN has come again. It never wishes its neighbour well. It is never Christ-like. Statements from CAN are, more often than not, ungodly and diabolical. Imagine CAN supporting the use of hijab by female Muslim soldiers ‘if it would deflect bullets’. That shows bad intention. Why the reference to bullets except for death wish for female Muslim soldiers? The only Muslim CAN loves is the dead Muslim. The only Muslim CAN will accommodate is the ‘liberal’, ignorant, half-baked and lilly-livered Muslim who has no mind of his own.

    “CAN is beating about the bush. The question is, does CAN support the use of hijab by female Muslim soldiers or not? Nobody is talking about bullets here. Every soldier knows the implications of joining the army. Bullets are working tools for soldiers. They are very familiar with it. So who is CAN trying to scare?

    “This is a poor outing for CAN. We expect a robust and intellectual interface in which CAN will expatiate reasons for objecting to the use of hijab by female military soldiers. But what do we get instead? CAN is asking if hijab will deflect bullets for those who wear it? That is pedestrian, infantile and jejune. This shows CAN could not come up with any good excuse against the use of hijab by female Muslim soldiers who wish to do so once it is approved.

    “The old song of ‘no Muslim can wear hijab in our school’ does not apply here. The Nigerian Army belongs to all Nigerians, Christians and Muslims. It is the people’s army. Let it reflect the variety of the people’s culture. Army uniform should not be synonymous with Christian uniform. Nigeria will not run a Christian army or a Muslim army.

    “We must ask CAN in turn : does the army uniform itself deflect bullets? If it doesn’t, why do soldiers still wear it? If our soldiers still wear their uniform despite the fact that the latter has no capacity to protect them from bullets, there is no reason under the sun to stop female Muslim soldiers from using hijab simply because the latter cannot protect them from bullets. We assure CAN that female Muslim soldiers who so desire will embrace the hijab without fear of flying bullets even if CAN is the one pulling the trigger.

    “CAN’s reference to only Afghanistan as a country where hijab is used by female soldiers is mischievous. CAN’s intention is to mislead Nigerians into believing that Afghanistan is the only country in the world where female Muslim soldiers use hijab. But this is far from being true. CAN is being economical with the truth. The examples below will expose CAN’s deception.

    “Female Muslim soldiers and police are now found in Britain, Ireland, Scotland, US, Canada, Sweden, Norway, Trinidad and Tobago, New Zealand, Australia, etc. In November 2018, a High Court judge in Trinidad ruled that Muslim women police officers are to be allowed to wear their hijabs while on duty. So what is Nigeria waiting for if countries that are more than 80% Christians allow Muslim women soldiers and police to use hijab? Even the population of Muslims in South Africa is just 1.9% and hijab has already been approved there also.

    “The United States Army approved hijab in 2017 following a memorandum issued by the Secretary of the US Army in Washington on 3rd January 2017 under the subject-matter Army Directive 2017-03 (Policy for Brigade-Level Approval of Certain Requests for Religious Accommodation).

    “It is not in MURIC’s character to make lousy, unverifiable claims. The links below confirm our claims:

    https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43758999

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/09/british-police-force-says-it-may-allow-female-officers-to-wear-f/

    Check Out the New Uniform for Female Muslim Police Officers in the UK

    https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/2008754/canadas-mounties-allow-women-officers-wear-hijab

  • 10 Kwara colleges shut over Hijab reopen today

    10 Kwara colleges shut over Hijab reopen today

    Kwara Government has announced that the 10 colleges involved in a recent hijab controversy should resume for the third term session on Monday, 12 April.

    Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Kemi Adeosun, said on Sunday, said the decision was to bring students in the schools to meet up for the period when their schools were shut.

    The 10 grant-aided missionary schools involved in the controversy were shut down by the state government on Feb. 19 for safety reasons.

    The government statement did not indicate whether the hijab stand-off has been resolved between Christian leaders and the government.

    The statement however mentioned a ‘monitoring team, to ensure “compliance”.

    ”This is to inform parents/guardians and teachers that the 2020/2021 Third Term Academic Session for the 10 schools affected in the recent hijab debate starts on Monday, April 12.

    ”This is part of the government’s efforts to bring the students in these schools up to speed in whatever they may have missed when their schools were shut.

    ”This is especially necessary for students preparing for external examinations.

    ”The resumption date for other schools not affected by the brief closure of schools is Monday 26th, 2021, as had earlier been communicated,” Adeosun said.

    According to the permanent secretary, all the teachers and staff of the affected schools should resume duty and commence classes immediately.

    She, however, noted that the Monitoring and Inspection team of the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development would be going round to ascertain compliance.

    The affected schools are C&S College Sabo-Oke, St. Anthony’s Secondary school, Offa Road, ECWA School, Oja Iya, Surulere Baptist Secondary School and Bishop Smith Secondary School, Agba Dam.

    Others are CAC Secondary School Asa Dam road, St. Barnabas Secondary School Sabo-Oke, St. John School Maraba, St. Williams Secondary School Taiwo Isale, and St. James Secondary School Maraba

  • Why we allowed hijab in Christian mission schools – Kwara Governor

    Why we allowed hijab in Christian mission schools – Kwara Governor

    Kwara State Governor AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq said on Tuesday that his administration’s decision to announce hijab-wearing in grant-aided Christian mission schools was based on consultations, meetings, brainstorming and dispassionate weighing of policy options.

    He said: “We took that decision in good faith and in the interest of all.

    “I swore to an oath to protect every Kwaran. This oath includes looking at the bigger picture and doing everything to prevent a crisis before it occurs.

    “I acknowledge the apprehension from the Christian and Muslim communities. Having held dozens of meetings with thought leaders from both sides in the last four weeks, I am convinced that beneath the tensions and misgivings around the hijab decision are old wounds that must be healed.

    “I assure Kwarans that we will take steps to address the concerns raised by faith communities. In doing so, a huge dose of understanding, selflessness and patriotism will be required. Going forward, we will need leaders from both sides to spread message of love, accommodation, patience, peace and mutual respect.

    “Notwithstanding their varied positions, I am proud of the level of restraints and statesmanship shown by our religious leaders. I commend them and reassure them that we will always be fair and courageous in taking decisions for sustainable peace, and will be willing to listen to their concerns.

    “The starting point will be the reconstitution in the coming days of the interfaith committee to further build confidence as well as provide templates to steadily resolve issues of mutual concerns.

    “I hail security agencies for their professionalism and their sticking to strategic patience jointly agreed upon. This has helped to prevent loss of lives and property, while keeping crisis merchants in check. I urge parents to speak to their children to stay away from trouble. Any attempt to take advantage of the situation to foment trouble will be met with maximum punishment prescribed by the law. ”

    AbdulRazaq has attributed Monday’s attacks on churches, schools and shops to fifth columnists.

    He hailed leaders of religious bodies for their understanding and leadership in the last few days.

    The governor, in a statement by his media aide, Rafiu Ajakaye, said: “The administration appreciates the maturity and forthrightness on both sides. The government is grateful that every side has continued to restrain their followers from violence.

    “The government condemns attempt by fifth columnists to foment trouble in parts of Ilorin metropolis.”

  • Kwara’s hijab crisis worsens as hoodlums attack schools, shopping centres

    Kwara’s hijab crisis worsens as hoodlums attack schools, shopping centres

    The disturbing hijab crisis in Kwara State was heightened yesterday as suspected hoodlums attacked schools and shopping centres in Ilorin, the state capital.

    The Christian community, the former owner of the 10 government grant- aided schools also mobilised its own forces to counter the attack in the bid to protect their people and property.

    The prompt intervention of personnel of the State Police command, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Army, however, saved the situation from getting out of hand.

    The hoodlums, it was gathered, brandished dangerous weapons including cutlasses and bottles while matching along some roads in Ilorin metropolis.

    Some of the hoodlums spotted along Offa road, G.R.A, Ilorin wore masks apparently to cover their identity.

    According to eyewitnesses, the hoodlums threw stones into the premises of Cherubim and Seraphim school at Sabo- Oke, Ilorin in a bid to force open the gate of the school.

    The violence also spread to St. Barnabas LGEA Primary School, Murtala Muhammad Way, Ilorin and some churches in the area.

    The Christian community mobilised its own forces to counter the attack in a bid to protect their people and property.

    Owners of shops and offices located in the areas hurriedly closed for the day, to avoid attack.

    It was reported that some shops were looted by the hoodlums.

    Armed security agents patrolled the metropolis to restore peace.

    Police spokesman Ajayi Okasanmi said the prompt intervention of their men and officers prevented the situation from worsening.

    He said peace had been restored.

    The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) yesterday advised Kwara State Governor AbdulRaman AbdulRasaq not to set the state on fire with the hijab issue.

    It spoke at Cornerstone City, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, through its President, Bishop Wale Oke, while hosting the Ekiti and Ondo chapters of the Fellowship led by Bishop Clement Abifade and Bishop Joshua Kolawole Opayinka.

    Bishop Oke said if the hijab issue was not handled with care, it could cause crisis in the country.

  • Hijab Controversy: Police restore normalcy in Ilorin

    Hijab Controversy: Police restore normalcy in Ilorin

    The Police Command in Kwara has restored peace and order after violence erupted on Wednesday in some of the Mission grant-aided schools over the use of Hijab by Muslim female students.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Mr Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin.

    According to him, following the announcement by the state government to re-open the schools after it had been closed since Feb. 19, the Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Bagega, deployed personnel to ensure that peace reign in the schools.

    “The situation grew worse as angry Christian and Muslim faithful started throwing various objects such as stones, plastic chairs and empty can drinks at themselves.

    “The security operatives deployed there called for reinforcement to calm the situation and the situation has been brought under control.

    ”Peace and order has been restored in the affected schools and everyone is now going about their normal activities,” the PPRO said.

    He however noted that no arrest has been made regarding the incident and no case of injury has been reported at the command.

    NAN recalls that the schools were closed on Feb. 19, over dispute in the usage of Hijab (Muslim female head gear) in Mission schools.

    The government set up a committee to resolve the misunderstanding and later announced that the schools would resume on March 8 with willing female students allowed to use Hijab.

    The government, however, withdrew the reopening order earlier given over safety concerns as some Christians were not willing to accept government decision. This led to the continuous closure of the schools.

    The affected schools included C&S College, Sabo-Oke; St. Anthony’s Secondary School, Offa Road; ECWA School, Oja Iya; Surulere Baptist Secondary School, and Bishop Smith Secondary School, Agba Dam.

    Others are CAC Secondary School, Asa Dam road; St. Barnabas Secondary School, Sabo-Oke; St. John School Maraba; St. Williams Secondary School, Taiwo Isale, and St. James Secondary School, Maraba.

  • Hijab controversy: Violence mars reopening of Kwara grant-aided schools

    Hijab controversy: Violence mars reopening of Kwara grant-aided schools

    Violence and resistance on Wednesday marred the reopening of the 10 grant-aided missionary schools earlier closed down by the Kwara Government over the use of Hijab.

    Recall that the schools were closed on Feb. 19 over misunderstanding in the usage of Hijab (Islamic female veil) in public schools.
    The government set up a committee to resolve the dispute and later asked the schools to resume on March 8 with willing female students allowed to use the Hijab.

    The government, however, rescinded its decision to reopen the schools over safety concerns as some christians were averse to the decision.

    This led to the continuous closure of the schools until when the government announced the reopening in the wee hours of Wednesday (March 17).

    Violence was recorded at Surulere Baptist Secondary School where Christians were singing gospel songs while Muslims were also chanting Arabic songs.

    The christians carried placards reading: “Give us back our schools”, “Enough of marginalisation”, while the muslims also had Arabic inscriptions on their placards bearing “Lahila Ilalahu Muhammadu Rosululah” (There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah).

    As the songs deepened, the parties threw stones at each other while the police tried to disperse the crowd with teargas and firing of gunshots into the air.

    It took the intervention of soldiers to disperse the crowd just as the school gate and sign posts were damaged.

    Pastor Victor Dada, President, Kwara Baptist Conference, told newsmen that the state government does not respect the rule of law by making pronouncement over a case already at the Supreme Court.

    ”What transpired this morning is simply because the government led by Gov. AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq is not respecting the rule of law and if the state government does not respect the rule of law, there will be chaos.

    ”A case that is in Supreme Court and judgment has not been given, the governor is making pronouncement.

    ”As long as the state government doesn’t respect the rule of law, we will defend our property and our faith.

    ”We will not allow Hijab in our school because this is a Christian mission school, let Kwara State government respect the rule of law,” Dada said.

    At C & S College, Sabo Oke, christians were seen carrying placards with various inscriptions like “Kwara State is for all, not an Islamic state”, “We say no to Hijab” and “Our school is our heritage”.

    The protestors prevented the students and teachers from entering the school premises.

    Similarly, at St. Anthony’s Secondary School, Offa road, teachers and students were also seen hanging around the school premises as the police, soldiers and Civil Defence personnel were seen trying to calm frayed nerves.

    At the Bishop Smith Secondary School, Agba Dam, the school remained shut with few students and security personnel seen around the institution.

    However, at ECWA School Oja Iya, academic activities have resumed as students were already seated in their classrooms when NAN correspondent visited.

    The affected schools are C&S College Sabo-Oke; St. Anthony’s Secondary School, Offa Road; ECWA School, Oja Iya; Surulere Baptist Secondary School and Bishop Smith Secondary School, Agba Dam.

    Others are CAC Secondary School, Asa Dam road; St. Barnabas Secondary School Sabo-Oke; St. John School Maraba; St. Williams Secondary School Taiwo Isale, and St. James Secondary School, Maraba.

  • Hijab controversy: Kwara Govt orders immediate reopening of 10 schools

    The Kwara state Government has announced the immediate reopening, on Wednesday, of the 10 schools recently shut down over hijab controversy even as government’s peace building efforts continue.

    This is contained in a statement from the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Mrs Kemi Adeosun.

    According to the statement, ”The closure of the schools became necessary to forestall security breaches which may affect lives and properties.

    ”The government is convinced that its policy to allow willing Muslim schoolgirls to wear their hijab in public schools will lead to sustainable peace and communal harmony anchored on mutual respect and understanding.”

    ”This path to mutual respect, understanding and peace with regards to hijab had long been adopted in northern Nigeria and many states in the Southwest such as Lagos, Osun, Ekiti and Oyo States,’” the statement read in part.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the schools were closed on Feb. 19 over dispute in the usage of Hijab in some of the schools.

    The government set up a committee to find a solution to the dispute and it was later announced that the schools will resume on March 8 with willing female students allowed to use hijab.

    The government, however, rescinded its decision to reopen the schools over safety concerns as the Christians were not willing to accept the government’s verdict.

    This led to the continuous closure of the schools.

    The statement added that students preparing for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC) would hold at least two-hour extra lesson to make up for the closed period.

    ”As the students resume normal classes, the government took special notice of the plight of those of them preparing for WAEC and hereby directs affected schools to hold at least two-hour extra lesson for all the intending candidates after school hours daily.

    ”The government will provide light lunch for the students until the beginning of their exams while teachers allotted for the extra coaching will get stipends for their efforts.

    ”This is to bring the students in line ahead of the impending external examination,” the statement read.

    The government commended the Christian and Muslim leaders for their understandings and their efforts to build peace within their respective communities in the past weeks.

    ”It urges everyone to join hands with the government to raise a generation of school children who will respect one another’s differences and together build a sustainable future for our state.

    ”The government reminds all its employees such as school principals and teachers in the affected schools to take special note of the policy.

    ”There will be zero tolerance for violations of anyone’s fundamental human rights under their watch,” the statement warned.

    NAN reports that the affected schools included C&S College, Sabo-Oke, St. Anthony’s Secondary school, Offa Road, ECWA School, Oja Iya, Surulere Baptist Secondary School and Bishop Smith Secondary School, Agba Dam.

    The others are CAC Secondary School, Asa Dam road, St. Barnabas Secondary School, Sabo-Oke, St. John School Maraba, St. Williams Secondary School, Taiwo Isale, and St. James Secondary School, Maraba.

  • Kwara reopens 10 Christian schools, insists on hijab ‘rights’ for Muslim students

    Kwara reopens 10 Christian schools, insists on hijab ‘rights’ for Muslim students

    The Kwara State Government has announced the reopening on Wednesday, March 17, 2021, of the 10 Christian schools that were recently shut down over the hijab crisis.

    A statement signed late Tuesday by Mrs Kemi Adeosun, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development said that “the government is convinced that its policy to allow willing Muslim schoolgirls to wear their hijab in public schools will lead to sustainable peace and communal harmony anchored on mutual respect and understanding.

    “This path to mutual respect, understanding, and peace with regards to hijaab had long been adopted in all of the northern Nigeria and many states in the Southwest such as Lagos, Osun, Ekiti, and Oyo States.”

    The schools affected include C&S College Sabo Oke, ST. Anthony College, Offa Road, ECWA School, Oja Iya, Surulere Baptist Secondary School, Bishop Smith Secondary School, Agba Dam, CAC Secondary School Asa Dam road, St. Barnabas Secondary School Sabo Oke, St. John School Maraba, St. Williams Secondary School Taiwo Isale, and St. James Secondary School Maraba.

    The statement continued, “As the students resume normal classes, the government took special notice of the plight of those of them preparing for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination and hereby directs affected schools to hold at least two-hour extra lesson for all the intending candidates after school hours daily.

    “The government will provide light lunch for the students until the beginning of their exams while teachers allotted for the extra coaching will get stipends for their efforts.

    “This is to bring the students up to speed ahead of the impending external examination. The closure of the schools was necessary to forestall security breaches that may affect lives and properties.

    “The government sincerely commends the Christian and Muslim leaders for their understandings and their efforts to build peace within their respective communities in the past weeks. It urges everyone to join hands with the government to raise a generation of schoolchildren who will respect one another’s differences and together build a sustainable future for our state.

    “Finally, the government reminds all its employees such as school principals and teachers in the affected schools to take special note of the policy. There will be zero tolerance for violations of anyone’s fundamental human rights under their watch.”

    Recall that the government shut the 10 schools on February 19, 2021, following a crisis on the wearing of Hijab by Muslim female students who are attending the schools.

    The state branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria said that it would not agree to the use of hijab in schools established by Christian missions, saying that they were surprised that the government was trying to make a decision on a matter which is still before the Supreme Court.

    CAN said, “The body condemns the use of Hijab in Christian Missions Grant Aided Schools as this will cause discrimination in schools and allow terrorists to easily identify our children and wards.”

  • Hijab controversy: Kwara Govt shuts 10 schools again

    Hijab controversy: Kwara Govt shuts 10 schools again

    The Kwara Government has announced that the 10 grant-aided missionary schools will remain shut down over the Hijab (religious veil) controversies would remain closed until further notice.

    This is contained in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Mrs Kemi Adeosun on Monday in Ilorin.

    “The government therefore directs school children and teachers in the affected schools to remain at home until the contrary is announced.

    ”The government remains committed to fairness, pluralism, and respect for the law and rights of every citizen at all times,” she said.

    The 10 schools were on Feb.19, closed down temporarily over Hijab controversy in the state.

    A committee was set up by the government to find a solution to the issue.

    However, on Feb. 26, the state government announced March 8, for the reopening of all the closed schools, after stakeholders agreed in a meeting held that Hijab be accepted as part of school uniform in schools .

    The affected schools are C&S College Sabo Oke, St. Anthony Secondary School, Offa Road, ECWA School, Oja Iya, Surulere Baptist Secondary School and Bishop Smith Secondary School, Agba Dam.

    Other schools are CAC Secondary School Asa Dam road, St. Barnabas Secondary School Sabo Oke, St. John School Maraba, St. Williams Secondary School Taiwo Isale, and St. James Secondary School Maraba.

  • Kwara mission school owners reject government’s approval on wearing of Hijab

    Kwara mission school owners reject government’s approval on wearing of Hijab

    Proprietors of mission secondary schools have rejected the approval of hijab wearing in mission schools by the Kwara state government.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the state government had during the week approved the wearing of hijab for students of grant-aided schools in the state.

    The proprietors in a communique read by Rev Victor Dada said that the “body condemns the use of hijab in Christian missions grant-aided schools as this will cause discrimination in schools and allow terrorists to easily identify our children and wards.

    “Christian mission grant-aided schools should be returned to the owners promptly as most of these schools have churches besides them and unnecessary trespass may lead to break down of law and order.

    “Christian faithfuls should occupy all grant aided schools. Christians should have a day for prayers and fasting for God to intervene in the imbroglio.

    “We shall continue to interact and dialogue with the state government on the return of grant aided schools to the proprietors.”