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Tag: Hijab

  • Muslim women seek protection from infringement on hijab

    Muslim women seek protection from infringement on hijab

    A coalition of Islamic organisations has warned heads of various government agencies to stop infringing on the rights of Muslim women in the country.

    They spoke on Wednesday at Alausa Central Mosque, Ikeja, Lagos in commemoration of the World Hijab Day (WHD).

    The World Hijab Day is celebrated across the world every February 1st.

    The organisations include Hijab Rights Advocacy Initiative (HRAI); Nasrullahi –li-Fathi Society (NASFAT); Pure Heart Islamic Foundation; Al-Mu’minaat Organisation Lagos; Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Lagos State Area unit; An Nujabau Female Forum; Izharul Haq Movement of Nigeria and FOMWAN Lagos.

    Others are The Criterion Lagos District; International Muslim Women Union (IMWU); Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN); Lagos Secretariat Community Central Mosque; Muslim Public Affairs Center MPAC; Akhwaat Muslimat Organization, Lagos; Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC); Guild of Muslim Professionals (GMP); Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) and Pristine Cactus Foundation.

    The organisations called on the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to ensure the rights of Muslim women wearing hijabs are not infringed on during the agency’s biometric process.

    Executive Director of Hijab Rights Advocacy Initiative Hajia Mutiat Orolu-Balogun said hijab is religious symbol and an injunction from Allah to Muslim women.

    She said: “Today, as we gather to commemorate the Annual World Hijab Day 2024, we are reminded of the profound significance of the Hijab and the strength it embodies for Muslim women worldwide. Under the theme “Veiled in Strength,” we reflect on the resilience and dignity of Muslim women who choose to wear the hijab as a symbol of their faith and identity. Our dresscode was given to us by God has stated in the Quran 33:59.

    “It truly takes strength and faith to wear hijab particularly in today’s world as well as the society we belong to. The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion is guaranteed by the constitution, and laws regulating these matters recognise and permit the use of Hijab. Yet there are public officers who use their positions to infringe on the rights of Muslim Women.

    “Furthermore, the issue of registration and writing of examinations, such as WAEC, NECO, and JAMB, must be addressed to ensure that Muslim girls are not subjected to discrimination. The registration for WAEC is ongoing in Lagos state public schools and we have received several reports of students being asked to take off their Hijabs, or bear their ears before they can be registered.

    “The hijab stands as a symbol of honour, respectability, chastity, and modesty, embodying a steadfast commitment to high moral standards. Contrary to media portrayals, the Muslim woman’s attire is not a tool for political agendas or a mere fashion statement. Rather, it epitomizes the inherent dignity of every Muslim woman, a right enshrined by the constitution of our beloved Nigeria.”

    NASFAT Women Affairs Secretary, Alhaja Suwebat Kupolati accused some staff of NIMC and other MDAs of not following their guidelines, which led to the infringement of the rights of some Muslim women who wear the Hijab.

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    “Therefore, we respectfully call on the Director General, NIMC, Ms. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, to ensure incorporation of hijab rights in the retraining of their officials.  Muslim women shouldn’t be asked to compromise their religious beliefs or have their fundamental human rights infringed upon during the biometric process.”

    Amirah MSSN Lagos State Rafiah Tijani reiterated that the constitution prohibits that anyone should be discriminated against either directly or indirectly.

    She said: “Therefore, if any rule exists from the government, its institution, agencies or even examination bodies, banning/disallowing the hijab, then it is both direct and indirect discrimination. An indirect discrimination exists where a rule is made in general but will put some people in a disadvantageous position.

    “We must also add that the current trend asking students to “hide their hijabs” in secondary schools in Lagos State is unacceptable and goes against the memo issued by the Head of Service as well as the supreme court judgment.  The students are forced to tuck in their hijabs and also put berets on top of it making sure the hijab is concealed as much as possible, thus defeating the purpose of modesty for which it is worn.

    We therefore, call on the Commissioner of Basic Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun to look into this matter urgently in order to forestall all these incidents.”

  • UI In’tl School hijab crisis: Out-of-court settlement fails

    The out-of-court settlement embarked upon by parties in a suit filed by 14 students of the International School, Ibadan (ISI) on behalf of the ISI Muslim Parents Forum, to contest restriction of the use of hijab on uniforms within the school premises has hit a deadlock.

    The matter will be going back to court.

    The parties had told the court at the last sitting that they had begun the process to settle the matter amicably out of court.

    Justice Ladiran Akintola told the parties to bring the settlement report to court on the next adjourned date, Friday.

    Earlier in the matter, the court had agreed that other parties which include traditional worshippers, other interested students and alumni association should join the suit as interested parties after the claimants raised no objection to their application.

    But at the resumed hearing of the case on Friday, rather than give a report of the expected settlement, parties informed the court that deliberations to resolve the matter amicably failed.

    Read also: Hijab crisis, my major challenge, says ex-UI DVC

    Counsel to the first four respondents, Dr. Babatunde Ajibade, told the court that none of the parties in the case was ready to shift ground on the matter.

    He told the court that all efforts to resolve the issue amicably failed.

    Counsel to the applicants, Hassan Fajimite, told the court that as a result of the failed attempts to settle out of court, he had amended his charges to reflect those who signified to be joined in the suit.

    He pleaded for more time to perfect the processes.

    While ruling on the submission, Justice Akintola noted there was no need for anybody to be rigid on the issue, adding that Islam or Christianity is not the native religion of anybody.

    He warned all parties in the case not to allow their agitation to cause discord in the school.

    He gave the parties 14 days to perfect their processes and admonished them to put in more efforts to try and find amicable resolution to the crisis within 21 days.

    He adjourned the case to May 14 for further hearing.

  • Hijab crisis, my major challenge, says ex-UI DVC

    Prof. Adeyinka Aderinto, the immediate Past Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) of the University of Ibadan, says the Hijab crisis which rocked the International School of the institution remains the greatest challenge in his tenure.

    Aderinto made this disclosure on Wednesday at a reception held in his honour by the Department of Sociology of the university.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Aderinto bowed out of office after finishing his two-year term of office as deputy vice chancellor.

    He stated that pressures were mounted on him from both within and outside the university system during the crisis.

    Aderinto, however, said that he was able to ensure that the existing laws were obeyed irrespective of the parties’ religious, social and educational affiliations.

    According to him, the International School Ibadan remains a centre of excellence and has been winning international awards due to the commitment of those managing its affairs.

    “With the support of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, we have made progress in virtually every area with the available meager resources available to the university.

    “I know the vice chancellor will continue to achieve greater feats before he leaves office.

    “I have discharged my duties as assigned with diligence and integrity and I thank God that I finished in good health.

    “I grew up in UI and the institution is all I know. I will continue to contribute my quota to its development and greatness,” Aderinto said.

    In his address, Prof. Ifeanyi Onyeonoru, the Head Department of Sociology, described Aderinto as a goal getter.

    He described Aderinto’s achievements in office as great feats and admonished office holders to show excellence in the discharge of their duties.

    “Service to humanity and societal development rather than selfish aggrandisement should guide those holding key positions in society so they will have a good return to their home when they leave office,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that until the expiration of his term, Aderinto was the Chairman of the Board of Governors of International School at a time some Muslim parents canvassed the wearing of hijab by their female wards.

  • Thousands rally against ‘hijab discrimination’

    Thousands of Muslim women and students yesterday stormed the streets of Lagos to express displeasure about their continuous harassment in schools and workplaces.

    They said that despite their peaceful nature, they were being molested and victimised for putting on the hijab.

    The women, who held an awareness rally, were members of Al-Mu’minaat (The Believing Women) Organisation, Federation of Muslim Women Association (FOMWAN), Nasrul- lahi -li Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT) and the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) and Organization of Tadhamunul Muslimeen (OTM) among others.

    During the rally, the aggrieved Muslims displayed placards with inscriptions promoting the acceptance of the use of hijab in Lagos State and Nigeria.

    Clad in different hijabs, they move from Maryland (SUBEB) to Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park Ojota. Another group walked from Roundabout bus stop Otto to Cele bus stop Ijanikin. The third group moved from Joju roundabout to Sango Roundabout.

    The rally was organised in commemoration of the 2019 World Hijab Day (WHD).

    Speaking with reporters, the Amirah (President) of Al-Mu’minaat in Lagos State, Alhaja Khadijah Abdus-Salam, lamented that government officials are “assaulting” school girls and female Muslims for wearing Hijab.

    She said: “It is noteworthy that this year’s WHD commemoration is with mixed feelings for on one hand, we are happy that the awareness and campaign had gained considerate momentum so much that it is marked in so many countries. However, the antagonists of Hijab project have unabatedly continued their projects and persecution of our school girls and women in Hijab. Some school principals assaulted school girls for no reasons other than wearing Hijab, why this?

    “Hijab is not a symbol of oppression. It is freedom from disrespect, prying eyes of lustful men in the society. We are treated differently and looked upon differently because of what we wear, some look at Hijab as a form of enslavement, it is not, rather it’s liberation. We are being harassed with a metal detector, body search and passing through an extra security check, why? Enough is Enough! Stop this discrimination! Hijab tells those I meet to deal with my intellect and not to focus on my body.

    “Hijab has come to stay, it is a divine injunction and the word of our Lord is True. We say to the world; Let us be! Let the Hijabis make their choice, don’t design what we should wear, our Lord is the Best Designer. It is not something that I might want or not want to do; it is something I have to do. Does wearing Hijab affect you personally or has an effect on the society? Let us be! It is so infuriating when my Hijab is used as a symbol for their ignorance and worse indeed.”

    The representative of NASFAT, Mujeedat Abajo Musa, described hijab as a constitutional right that is capable of reducing rape in the society.

    Read also: Police arrest man for allegedly producing bullets

    She said: “Hijab is a constitutional right. With hijab, the issue of rape can be reduced in a state like Lagos. For peace to reign, we want them to respect us.”

    MSSN representative Hajia Rahmah Olaoluwa, urged Muslim women to be bold to put on their hijab.

    “Our hijab is our right. We should never be shy to defend ourselves. We should always speak up. As Muslims, we must be free from oppression. Let us be free to put on our hijab anywhere, including schools. You have a legal right to wear the hijab, enjoy it,” she said.

    FOMWAN’s representative Hajia Rofiat Owonikoko, said that Islamic organisations won’t stop engaging the government and appropriate authorities if hijab harassment persists.

    “Hijab is Allah’s injunction. Our hijab is our own Permanent Voters Card (PVC). The time for us to take massive action has come. Hijab cannot continue to be a sign of oppression,” she said.

    Reacting to why hijab-wearing Muslims are being harassed in Nigeria, Hajia Sherifah Yusuf-Ajibade, Coordinator of Social Advocacy Project (SAP), said: “I think it is bigotry and Islamophobia. Everywhere in the world, there is freedom of religion. If you don’t deny other peoples’ right, why should you be disturbed to practice your own right? People in foreign schools are not denied their right to use the hijab, why should ours be different?”

     

     

  • LAUTECH international school bars 55 students over 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”.

    Read Also: Academic activities begin at LAUTECH

    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”.

  • Hijab crisis: Court grants UI International School extension of time

    An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan on Friday granted an application for extension of time filed by the University of Ibadan (UI) International School Ibadan (ISI) in a suit filed against it over ban on wearing of Hijab by female Muslim students.

    The suit was instituted by some Muslim parents on behalf of their daughters after an initial protest that led to the brief shutdown of the school.

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

    NAN reports that the Muslim parents that sued the school on behalf of their children are Taofeek Yekinni, Idris Badiru, Sikiru Babarinde, Muideen Akerele, Abdurrahman Balogun and nine others.

    At the resume hearing of the suit on Friday, Counsel to the respondents, Dr Babatunde Ajibade (SAN) informed the court that he was out of time in responding to the originating summon of the applicants.

    Ajibade said he has filed an application for extension of time and urged the court to grant his application.

    The counsel to the applicants, Mr Hassan Fajimite, said he was not opposed to the application for extension of time filed by the respondents’ counsel.

    Justice Laniran Akintola granted the application and adjourned the matter till Jan. 11, 2019, for mention.

    NAN reports that three parties seeking to be joined as co-respondents in the matter where present in the court, but yet to file any processes.

    In the originating summon, the applicants are contending that the action of the school authority violates their rights to freedom of thought, religion and education as contained in Section 38 (1)(a) and 42(1)(a) of Nigeria’s Constitution.

    Their counsel had urged the court to declare the school’s continuous prevention of female Muslim students from wearing Hijab as wrongful and unconstitutional.

  • UI International school’s parents protest division over hijab

    Many parents of pupils at the International School, Ibadan (ISI) of the University of Ibadan (UI) yesterday staged a protest against the approach of their Muslim colleagues in introducing hijab for female pupils.

    They said it would divide the pupils along religious lines.

    The protesters carried placards as they marched to the office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) Academic, Prof. Abideen Aderinto, to deliver a letter conveying their opposition to the way some Muslim parents introduced hijab, which led to the closure of the school indefinitely on Monday.

    Led by Olalekan Thani, Babaawo Awosanmi Abe and Olusola Aleshin, the parents said the 55-year-old school is one indivisible entity which no one or group should be allowed to divide for any reason.

    They described as dangerous a situation where pupils are made to “discriminate” along religious, ethnic or other sentiments, instead of learning together as global citizens.

    In the letter, titled: “Clamour for the Introduction of Religious Emblem of Our Children in the International School, University of Ibadan,” the parents urged the school’s board, headed by the DVC, to ensure that its rules and regulations are allowed to prevail.

    Read also: UI International School shut down over hijab

    They said the children are friends and colleagues as well as their parents, adding that any attempt by some Muslim parents to divide them should not be allowed to succeed.

    The protesters accused the Muslim parents of attempting to disrupt the school’s academic activities as well as the love and unity existing among the children, who they said do not see religious barriers among themselves.

    Some Muslim parents had written a letter to the school management and Governing Board, stating that their female children must be allowed to wear the hijab on their school uniform.

    The letter was titled: “Notification of Muslim Parents’ Resolution on Hijab for our Muslim Girls in ISI.”

    The school was first closed down last week when some female pupils turned up in hijab, few days after their parents submitted the letter to the head teacher.

    Academic activities were suspended that day as the school management considered their action a contravention of the dress code.

    But the Muslim parents insisted on their children wearing the hijab.

    Monday’s closure was the second as the crisis lingered, even after the governing board’s decision on November 14 pleaded to all parties to maintain the status quo while the issues were being sorted out.

    The concerned ISI parents called for the reopening of the school with tight security for their children, especially as they are about to begin internal and external examinations.

    Their letter reads: “We wish to state that the current dress code/uniform of the pupils of ISI, which has been in use since inception (about 55 years ago), has no religious coloration; it is good enough and sufficient to fulfil our moral obligations to the children. It should not be a subject of discussion out of the jurisdiction of the constituted Board of Governors, as done by this Muslim Parents’ Forum.”

    The DVC, who received the protest letter, promised to ensure that the matter is resolved peacefully.

    He urged all parties to exercise restraint and avoid words or actions that may further enflame the crisis.

  • Still on hijab

    •UI school’s stakeholders should meet again to resolve the impasse

    The Board of Governors of the International School, University of Ibadan, has closed the school to forestall crisis over wearing of hijab by Muslim students. The problem has arisen from the insistence of Muslim parents that the school’s authorities respect their Muslim children’s freedom of religion and expression, despite the spirit of the school’s dress code. The International School Muslim Parents Association’s resolution was conveyed in a letter received by the board on November 9, a few days before the appearance of students in hijab, and the hysteria that followed. The school’s management has argued that sudden appearance of some of the students in hijab on campus violated the dress code of the school and chose to close the school, to avoid any disturbance, according to the chairman of the board of governors, Prof. Abideen Aderinto, himself a Muslim.

    This is an avoidable crisis, especially in a multicultural democracy that should have sensitivity to cultural diversity and its accompanying rituals of identity politics. The management of the school should not be surprised about demands for use of hijab in a country that is a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). What may be surprising is the failure of the parents association to give due democratic process a chance. One element that is crucial to the culture of democracy is a two-way communication, which allows for full consideration of implications of resolutions by any of the many stakeholders in the school on an issue of mutual interest.

    For example, the Muslim parents association valorizes the rule of the mob by failing to give the school’s management and board of governors ample time to complete the process of legitimating a new dress code a chance. Sending a resolution by Muslim parents on November 9 ought to have included recognition of the reaction-time needed to legitimately integrate demand for a new dress code for the various stakeholders.

    The process of amending the school law on uniforms should have been subjected to due hearing at the school’s parents teachers association and at the level of the school’s board of trustees. Waking up one day to see female students, most of whom may be minors, in hijab in front of the school shows lack of respect for the civility and elegance that are part of democratic discourse.

    Similarly, the school’s argument that it is a private school sounds pedestrian, in relation to the argument that the country’s constitution affirms freedom of religion and expression. That the funding of the school is derived from fees paid by students’ parents does not negate the right of Muslims to reflect themselves in the symbols they perceive as central to their faith. What the crisis at a school that has functioned for 55 years in peace and harmony in a section of the country known for tolerance of religious diversity throws up is poor adjustment to democratic practice beyond electoral democracy. The importance of discussion, debate, dialogue, and deliberation in a democracy seems lost to both parties: Muslim parents and the school’s management.

    Therefore, both sides should have recognised the implications of erosion of secularity of the state or separation of state and religion since the emergence of the 1999 Constitution. More importantly, the rise in demands by cultural enclaves to end what they perceive as marginalisation is an abiding aspect of all forms of identity politics. The state, cultural institutions, and citizens need to be prepared to live with cultural diversity without necessarily threatening public order. Diversity management is a necessary ingredient in growing democracy in a multicultural polity and society.

    We call on the Muslim parents to desist from pushing their children and wards to violate existing laws of the school while the board of governors makes proper consultations with all stakeholders on the way forward. This is necessary because students of other religions that also wear specific dresses might insist on wearing their own religious garments to school as demonstration of their religious freedom.

    Both parties should allow the school to re-open and return to the negotiation table. This is imperative, especially against the backdrop of the Court of Appeal’s judgment legitimising the wearing of hijab in schools. This, apparently, was the basis of the directive by the Lagos State government to public schools in the state not to discriminate against students that wear hijab to school, at least pending the determination of the case on the issue before the Supreme Court.

  • Lagos gets kudos over hijab

    The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), a rights group, yesterday hailed the Lagos State Government for approving the use of hijab by female Muslim pupils in public schools.

    Its Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, described the gesture as a monumental decision.

    “The wind of change is sweeping across the Southwest and no government wants to be caught in the camp of reactionaries.

    “We urge government agencies and employers to note this development. It is a monumental decision. The patience exhibited by Lagos Muslims has paid off.

    “A quiet and peaceful revolution is ongoing and it is in the best interest of men and women of goodwill to join the train before it leaves the station so that they will not be left behind.

    “Reports reaching MURIC headquarters say the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary (TGPS) of District 6 has also issued a circular directing head teachers in the jurisdiction to allow female Muslim pupils who wish to use the hijab to do so.

    “We are yet to hear anything from Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. We are, therefore, calling on the remaining five TGPS to follow suit. Delay will simply mean insubordination and sabotage of government’s good intention.

    “We congratulate the Lagos State chapters of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), the Muslim Congress (TMC), Muslim Teachers Association of Nigeria (MUTAN) and  Federation of Muslim Women Associations of Nigeria (FOMWAN).

    “We praise them for their steadfastness, patience and forbearance.

    “We enjoin Islamic organisations to set up monitoring units for the implementation of the directive.

    “Muslim parents should be mobilised to visit schools to ensure compliance. We warn that nobody should take the law into his or her hands.

  • Lagos okays hijab on school uniforms

    •Muslim students laud gesture

    Lagos State Government yesterday lifted its ban on the use of the hijab on uniforms in schools.

    This was contained in a circular, signed by A.O Olukoya for Tutor General/Permanent Secretary, entitled “Re-The Use of Hijab in Lagos State Public Schools.”

    The circular reads: “Since the case of the use of hijab i n 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 hijab 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 hijab 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 sensitised to comply accordingly. You are enjoined to adhere strictly to these recommendations.”

    Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit hailed the State Government for upholding the rule of law.

    Its President, Dr Saheed Ashafa said the circular would stop harassment and victimisation of pupils for wearing hijab.

    He recalled that despite the Appeal Court judgement, the pupils were punished and denied entrance into classrooms for wearing hijab.

    By issuing the circular, Ashafa said the government has towed the path of honour.

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

    “We are pleased with this development because the embarrassing way and manner that our members are being subjected to 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 pupils for wearing hijab. The Appeal Court clearly states that wearing hijab by pupils within or outside the school premises was a fundamental human rights entrenched in the constitution.”