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Tag: Hijab

  • Kwara assents to use of Hijab in schools

    Kwara assents to use of Hijab in schools

    Kwara State Governme has assented to the use of Hijab by Muslim female students in its public schools.

    TheNewsGuru recalls that the government last week Friday closed 10 schools in Ilorin, the state capital following chaos on the wearing of Hijab, a female headwear in the schools.

    The government in a statement signed by Prof. Mamma Jibril, Secretary to the state government, late on Thursday, noted that the government has approved the reopening of the schools from Monday, March 8, 2021 while female Muslim students should be allowed to wear Hijab in all grant-aided public schools in the state.

    The statement titled, “Position of Kwara State Government on the Hijab Question in Public Schools”, read, “Sequel to recent developments in our state over the status of the hijaab in public/grant-aided schools, the state government has consulted widely with thought leaders and leaders of both Muslim and Christian communities with a view to clarifying issues and reaching a consensus. The last of such meetings was held on Wednesday, February 24, presided by His Excellency Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

    “At least 10 schools of interest were earlier shut down to maintain peace and public order as well as prevent mischief-makers from taking undue advantage of the development.

    “The state government has considered submissions of all major interest groups on the matter. It has also thoroughly considered the education law of Kwara State, the prevailing court judgments and current global trends of multiculturalism in evolving a consultation-based decision that will bring lasting peace and understanding to our communities. The government has also paid particular attention to the ‘declaratory’ nature of the subsisting judgments of the Court of Appeal and their purports.

    “Consequently, the government hereby acknowledges and approves the right of the Muslim schoolgirl to wear the hijab, and directs the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development to come up with a uniform hijab for all public/ grant-aided schools, which will be the accepted mode of head covering in schools. Any willing schoolgirl with the approved (uniform) hijab shall have the right to wear same in public/grant-aided schools.

    “Also, the government affirms the right of every child in public schools to freedom of worship.

    “The government hereby directs that the affected 10 schools should reopen to commence classes on Monday 8th March 2021.

    “Similarly, the government has carefully noted submissions regarding ownership of grant-aided schools and related issues. While the status of these schools is the subject of judicial determination, this and other related matters will soon be subjected to a technical committee to advise accordingly. The government reassures all members of the public that it will act in good conscience at all times.

    “The government asserts that there is no victor or vanquished on the hijaab question. It urges the two faith communities, especially the leaders, opinion moulders, and media personalities to act with restraint and great responsibility in their public utterances and actions and continue to live in peace and harmony with one another. The government commends all the thought and religious leaders on both sides for their forbearance, understanding, and commitment to peace.”

     

  • Kwara approves use of hijab in 10 Christian missionary schools

    Kwara approves use of hijab in 10 Christian missionary schools

    The Kwara State Government has approved the use of hijab in 10 Christian missionary schools in the state.

    Mamma Sabah Jibril, Secretary to the State Government, announced the decision in a statement Thursday night.

    He said the administration consulted widely with Muslim and Christian communities with a view to clarifying issues and reaching a consensus.

    The last of such meetings was held on Wednesday; Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq presided.

    Jibril recalled that at least “10 schools of interest” were shut down to maintain order and prevent mischief makers from taking undue advantage of the development.

    He said the government considered submissions of all major interest groups, the education law of Kwara State, the prevailing court judgments and current global trends of multiculturalism.

    “Consequently, the government hereby acknowledges and approves the right of the Muslim schoolgirl to wear the hijab”, the statement read.

    The Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development was ordered to come up with a uniform hijab for all public/grant-aided schools, which will be the accepted mode of head covering in schools.

    “Any willing schoolgirl with the approved (uniform) hijab shall have the right to wear the same in public/grant-aided schools”, it added.

    The government affirmed the right of every child in public schools to freedom of worship and directed the affected 10 schools to resume classes on Monday March 8, 2021.

  • Hijab controversy keeps 10 schools closed in Ilorin

    Hijab controversy keeps 10 schools closed in Ilorin

    The 10 schools affected by the Hijab controversy in Ilorin are to remain shut pending the outcome of the State Government consultations with stakeholders on the use of the Muslim headgear in schools.

    According to a statement, this is to avert any breakdown of law and order, while the government concludes the consultations with relevant stakeholders.

    In the statement, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Mamman Jibril, urged members of the public to remain calm and peaceful.

    “Official pronouncement of government’s position is likely this week.

    “The government urges parents, officials and authorities at the affected schools to maintain peace and avoid making comments or doing anything that could cause further misunderstanding and heat up the polity,” the government advised.

  • US Air Force approves hijab, beard for Muslims

    US Air Force approves hijab, beard for Muslims

    Sikhs and Muslim officers in the United States Air Force can now wear turban and hijab as part of their military uniforms.

    Officers are now also permitted to keep beards, according to the Air Force updated dress code reported by CNN.

    Under the new guidelines, which were finalised last week, Sikhs and Muslims can seek a religious accommodation to wear turbans, beards, unshorn hair and hijabs, and expect to be approved as long as their appearance is “neat and conservative,” except under extremely limited circumstances.

    The final review for the accommodation must take place within 30 days for cases in the United States, and 60 days for all other cases, according to the guidelines.

    And for the most part, airmen can expect the religious accommodation to follow them through their career.

    Previously, Sikhs and Muslims serving in the Air Force individually requested religious accommodations that were granted on a case-by-case basis, but the approval process could be lengthy.

    This update standardises that process and outlines a formal timeline for approval.

  • MSSN threatens to shutdown Lagos over alleged hijab harassment

    The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit has threatened to mobilise millions of its members to shutdown Lagos State if harassment of students wearing hijab persists.

    The organisation said this at a press conference to commemorate the 2019 World Hijab Day on Thursday in Lagos.

    The Amirah (female head) of the MSSNLagos, Hajia Basheerah Majekodunmi, while addressing journalists narrated the agonies of female Muslim students in the country.

    She lamented that some of the students were slapped, embarrassed and subjected to emotional trauma for wearing hijab to schools.

    She, however, explained that despite the circular issued by the Lagos State Government and the judgement of the Appeal Court favouring the use of hijab, female Muslim students are still facing tough times.

    She said, “In the hands of government officials, especially teachers in public schools, our members are regular victims of physical and verbal assaults. The recent one being the slapping of a female Muslim student at Ikosi High School by an official of West African Examination Council (WAEC) for resisting to pull off her hijab. Other cases abound from Agbede Community Grammar School and Yewa Grammar School in Ikorodu, to Iba Estate Senior High School in Ojo.

    “Before we got to where we are now on the issue of hijab, there were several legal engagements. The Appeal Court granted us all the reliefs we sought at the lower court and pronounced on our inalienable right to adorn the hijab not only in public secondary schools but in all spheres of education and life. In November 2018, the Lagos State Government issued a circular to all principals of public secondary schools instructing them to allow students, who want to wear the hijab on their uniforms do so.

    “When the Lagos State Government issued the circular, we thought relief had come, but it is utterly unfortunate that some school authorities and some deviant teachers are working against the circular.

    “Instead of obeying the circular, some school principals, vice principals and teachers feign ignorance of the approval of hijab in Lagos State, and desperately began to deal with our members. We have constantly reported some of these cases to the government but little result is seen and some have been taken up legally.

    “We call on the government to caution its indiscipline, unlawful officials among its teaching workforce. If not, the entire Lagos State will wake up one day to witness an abrupt shutdown by millions of our members and sympathisers.”

    She subsequently alleged the Lagos State Government of conniving with some of its officials to frustrate a peaceful usage of hijab in schools.

    Majekodunmi also asked the WAEC to caution its members to stop violating Nigeria constitution and existing judgement that affirm the right to use hijab by female Muslim students.

    She said, “We have got to a point that we are beginning to think that there is a connivance between the teachers and principals of some schools to frustrate Muslim students in our bid to practice our religion through the use of hijab. If this is the grand plan, In Sha Allah, they will fail.”

    “We are a peaceful community and we have respect for democratic values and the rule of law, but we will not allow our fundamental human rights to be tampered upon. It’s utterly sad that we are experiencing too much of assaults and abuses on the Muslim female folks, because they are wearing hijab. This discrimination is too much, and it has to stop! The government has to criminalize assaults against people wearing hijab.

    “The illegal action against Muslim students wearing hijab has caused our members huge psychological trauma that some of them now feel hated and rejected in their own country.”

    The Muslim group insisted that it was not asking government for a favour but requesting that its members should not be denied of their rights.

    “We understand that there are a few cases in court, but let me assure you that the position of the constitution is clear – wearing hijab is a constitutional right. Let us not assume that allowing hijab is a favour to Muslims. No, it is not. We are only asking government to respect the constitution of Nigeria by ordering their agents to stop victimising our students for wearing the hijab.

    “We call on all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe or religion to join this voice as part of solidarity with the Muslim women most especially the female secondary school students, who are brazenly and incessantly harassed and assaulted because they wear hijab to schools in their own country.”

    Apart from the Appeal Court that gave a favourable verdict on the use of Hijab, a High Court in Osun State gave its nod to it and the National Industrial Court did the same on Tuesday 8th January 2019.

    Like the Appeal Court and the Osun High Court, the Industrial Court of Nigeria, presided over by Hon. Justice Ikechi Gerald Nweneka, ruled that refusal to interview an applicant in Hijab was discriminatory, violation of section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    In that case, the applicant Olatunji Hawau had applied for employment with the 3rd Respondent, Federal Medical Centre Ebute Meta on 10th October 2016. She was invited for interview on 12th October 2016 but was not interviewed because she was wearing a hijab.

     

  • [Photo] LAUTECH international school shuts 55 students outside for appearing in hijab

    [Photo] LAUTECH international school shuts 55 students outside for appearing in hijab

    About 55 female Muslim students of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) International School Ogbomoso were on Monday prevented by authorities from entering the school premises over the use of Hijab.

    A senior lecturer in the school, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the students were turned down by the institution’s authorities for wearing Hijab on their uniforms.

    He said: “The story was dated back to 2011 when the first request was made to the Governing Board of the School to allow our willing Muslim females children to use Hijab as part of their school uniform in line with Islamic dictate.

    “Since 2011 barely eight years ago, several letters of appeals had been written to the Governing Council, while we wait endlessly without any concrete positive response to our simple request.

    “Our Muslim girls over the period have been using Beret instead of Hijab in their own case contrary to the Islamic dictate.

    “While our patience overtime as law abiding citizens was premised on our belief that the Management of the School will do the needful and give regard to the rule of law and provision of the constitution guaranteeing fundamental human rights of everybody.

    “Having waited endlessly since 2011, it was decided on the 4th of January, 2019 that our willing Muslim female children should commence the use of Hijab as School resumes on January 7, 2019”.

    According to the senior lecturer, the situation in the school on Monday morning was tensed as teachers forcefully removed hijab from the children and barred those who refused to abide from entering the school.

    “The children in the school presently were under scrutiny, teachers are threatening. They are removing Hijab on them.

    “The girls disagreed. They disallowed them to enter. It’s noisy presently. The school is still on.

    “Our Muslim children that used Hijab are still outside the school,” he said.

    The principal Ibrahim Animashaun urged the parents and the students to await the decision of the school board of governors before further action.

    Animashaun informed newsmen the status quo remained until the board decides whether to allow or ban the use of Hijab in the school.

    He said: “The school board of governors is yet to approve the use of Hijab. And the board is looking at their letter.

    “So we are yet to communicate them. Until we communicate with them. The status quo remains until the board approves their request.

    “We spoke with the aggrieved parents that their letter is still with the board.

    “LAUTECH International School board of governors is looking at their letter”.

     

  • Parents sue International School Ibadan over hijab

    Parents sue International School Ibadan over hijab

    Parents of some female Muslim students of International School, Ibadan (ISI) have sued its authority for disallowing their children from wearing hijab on their school uniforms.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the applicants in the suit before an Oyo High Court in Ibadan, are Taofeek Yekinni, Idris Badiru, Sikiru Babarinde, Muideen Akerele and 10 others.

    The respondents in the suit are ISI, University of Ibadan, the School Principal, Mrs Phebean Olowe and Prof. Abideen Aderinto, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) and Chairman, ISI Board of Governors.

    In the court summon obtained by NAN, the applicants’ lawyer, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), urged the court to declare the continuous denial of the authority of ISI to allow the female Muslim students from wearing hijab as wrongful and unconstitutional.

    Fagbemi said the action of the authority of ISI violates the applicants’ right to freedom of thought, religion and right to education as contained in section 38 (1)(a) and 42(1)(a) of the Constitution.

    He said the locking up or humiliation of 1 to 11 applicants by the 1 to 4 respondents by themselves and agents as a result of the use of hijab by 1 to 11 applicants is a violation of their fundamental human rights.

    He urged the court to order perpetual injunction restraining the respondents either by themselves, agents or servants from further interfering or infringing in any manner with the applicants’ fundamental rights.

    NAN reports that the suit has been fixed for Dec. 21 for mention before Justice Ladiran Akintola and all the respondents have been served.

     

  • Lagos approves use of hijab in schools

    The Lagos State Government has approved the use of hijab in public secondary schools in the state.

    Muslim faithful had been agitating the use of hijabs in public secondary schools in the state, but the Lagos State Government had bluntly refused.

    The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, MSSN, had gone to court to challenge government’s decision to ban hijab in schools and lost at the Lagos High Court.

    The MSSN appealed the case at the Appeal Court and won, but the Lagos State Government went to the Supreme Court to challenge the ruling at the Appeal Court.

    The case is still at the Supreme Court until the government decided to approved the use of hijab in schools pending the determination of the case at the Supreme Court.

    This was contained in a circular recently issued by the Lagos State Government granting the use of hijab in schools. The circular was signed by O.A. Olukoya

    The circular conveyed the government’s approval “of the outcome /recommendations of the panel on the use of Hijab and urged compliance.

    The circular dated 13 November, 2018 has the heading: “Re: Use of Hijab in Lagos Public School.”

    “Since the case of the use of Hijab in Lagos State is still pending in the Supreme Court, status quo should be maintained to avoid contempt of court, that is, students should be allowed to wear Hijabs on school uniforms but same must be short, smart and neat and in colour of the school uniform (skirt),” the circular said.

    However, the MSSN, Lagos State Area Unit has commended the Lagos State Government for upholding the rule of law through its approval of the use of hijab in public schools.

    According to the President of the MSSN, Lagos, Saheed Ashafa, the circular would help to stop harassment and victimisation of female Muslim students for wearing hijab.

    He recalled that despite the Appeal Court judgement, female Muslim students were punished and denied entrance into classrooms for putting on the hijab.

    By issuing the circular, Ashafa said the Lagos State Government has towed the path of honour and deserved to be praised for such.

    He said: “We extol this gesture and the resoluteness of the state government in ensuring that an avoidable strife do not find ways into the peaceful atmosphere being enjoyed in Lagos State.

    “We are pleased with this development because the embarrassing way and manner that our members are being victimised, harassed, punished and denied entrance into their classrooms for wearing hijab would stop.

    “We have constantly told the state government that while a case on the hijab is awaiting final verdict at the Supreme Court, no teacher has the right to punish female pupils for wearing hijab. The Appeal Court in the case clearly states that wearing hijab by students, whether within or outside the school premises was a fundamental Human Right entrenched in the constitution.

    “It is important to notify you that we will not allow further lawlessness and flagrant disregard for rule of law to stay after this circular. The circular would also help to stop the abuse of rights which could have degenerated into crisis or violence that may lead to the disruption of activities in schools in our dear state.

    “We commend this intervention aimed at calling teachers, principals and tutor general to order. This circular approving wearing of hijab by students on their school uniform within and outside school premises, will ensure peace and order in our schools and stability in the state’s education system.”

    Ashafa subsequently encouraged female Muslim students to be confident, smart and neat while putting on the hijab.

    “We hereby call on female muslim students to enjoy their rights without fear of molestation. While exhibiting their rights, they should remain law abiding and be good ambassadors of the religion of peace,” he added.

    He congratulated Muslims in the state and islamic organisations for ensuring that Muslims are not denied their rights.

    The circular read in part: “Since the case of the use of Hijab in Lagos State is still pending in the Supreme court of Nigeria, status quo be maintained, to avoid contempt of the court, that is students be allowed to wear Hijabs on school uniforms but same must be short, smart, neat and in the same colour of the uniform (skirt).

    “Furthermore, schools management are advised to downplay comments and disciplinary actions on the use of smart Hijabs until the final determination of the case by Supreme Court.

    “No student should be discriminated against in any form on the basis of religion.

    “All principals and teachers must be sensitized to comply accordingly. You are enjoined to adhere strictly to these recommendations.”

  • UI international school shut over hijab controversy

    UI international school shut over hijab controversy

    The 55-year old International School Ibadan, owned by the University of Ibadan, was on Monday shut.

    The closure of the secondary school, followed the appearance of some students, dressed in hijab against what the management prescribed as the dress code.

    Some parents, under the aegis of the International School Muslim Parents’ Forum, in a letter dated November 9, 2018, and signed by Abdurrhaman Balogun (chairman) and Bilikis Badiru (secretary), and sent to the Principal of the school, Mrs Phebean Olowe, and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, UI, Prof. Abideen Aderinto, stated that they were “putting the schools’ management on notice of this resolution on the rights of our female children to commence the use of hijab from this academic session of 2018/2019.”

    The forum argued, “Hijab-wearing for young Muslim girls, apart from the fact that it is part of their religious belief, is part of their God-given fundamental human right as well as in line with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    As a result, the classes were shut when some hijab-wearing students were sighted in the school premises as early as 7am.

    Speaking on the development, Aderinto, who doubles as the Chairman, Court of Governors of the school, stated that the jungle approach being used by the parents would not be tolerated.

    Aderinto, who said the school was a private institution and not being run from any subvention from the government, stated that it had rules governing dress codes, which all parents agreed to.

    The deputy vice-chancellor explained that while he received a letter from the group on November 9, he held a meeting with members of the forum on Saturday for over two hours, adding that he was shocked and disappointed that the parents could be frustrating the efforts of the management to restore the glory of the school.

    He stated, “I am the Chairman of the Court of Governors and I am a proud Muslim. The ISI is a private school. The UI does not fund it. It is funded by the fees collected. It is unfortunate that this is coming up now. Even the Parent Teachers’ Association is not aware of the idea of this group.

    “Indeed, some other Muslim parents expressed shock when they heard about this forum. Since its establishment in 1963, the school has not experienced any religious crisis and we will want to guard against it. The Muslim and Christian students have places of worship in the school. Whoever desires to change the rules should go through the due process. The teachers do not feel safe and so could not have taught anybody, because it was a strange development.

    “I appeal to these people to stop their action and allow peace to reign in the school. It is even strange that this matter was not discussed at the meeting of the Parent Teachers’ Association headed by another Muslim and lawyer, Mr Kazeem Olaniyan.”

    Balogun, who spoke for the group, however, expressed surprise that the school was shut down because of the female students adorned in hijab.

    He maintained that the forum would continue to forge ahead with its agitation until “our daughters are allowed to wear hijab.”

  • Muslim group commends Law School for calling Amasa to bar

    Muslim group commends Law School for calling Amasa to bar

    Prof. Ishaq Akintola has commended the Nigerian Law School, the body of Benchers and the Council of Legal Education for calling Firdaus Amasa to bar with her hijab on.

    Akintola, who is the Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.

    He said the Nigerian law school had succeeded in restoring the confidence of Nigerian Muslims in legal education by giving recognition to the identity of Amasa.

    The Nigerian law school called Amasa and 11 other Muslims to bar on Tuesday; they were allowed to wear their hijab as they joined other 1,550 students.

    Amasa was denied entry into the hall for the ceremony in December 2017.

    MURIC appealed to the authorities to allow other female Muslim students who had decided to wear hijab below their wigs in future call to bar ceremonies.

    “Muslims cannot be fully integrated into all aspects of Nigerian life unless authorities make inclusiveness a cardinal principle in their policies, rules and regulations.

    “We also commend all Islamic organisations that showed interest in the struggle to liberate the Nigerian Muslim woman from the shackles of neo-colonialism as epitomized by the Amasa.

    “In particular, we treasure the advice and diplomatic support by the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III.

    “We also commend Muslim youths who heeded our appeal for calm and therefore avoided public demonstrations over the Law school hijab imbroglio.

    “This is indubitable evidence that MURIC’s efforts at re-engineering Muslim youths towards non-violence is yielding fruits.

    “We salute Amasa, her father, Alhaji Abdullahi Amasa, for sacrificing so much for a cause which they believe in.’’

    The director urged female Muslim law students who were already accustomed to using hijab to continuing wearing it without nursing any fear of persecution.

    “Hijab is an Allah-given fundamental human right of every Muslim woman. Our hijab is our right and our right is our right.

    “We assure Nigerian Muslim women of unflinching solidarity and full support of Nigerian Muslims.”

    He urged Muslims in the country to be humble in victory, to seek no vengeance, to avoid issuing provocative statements and to pray for a successful law career for Amasa.