A lecturer in the University of Lagos, College of Medicine, Professor Fatima Abdul-Kareem has admonished Muslim women in the country not to yield to intimidation and harassment over the use of Hijab.
Abdul-Kareem, spoke yesterday at a public lecture organised in commemoration of World Hijab Day, by the Lagos State Secretariat Mosque.
AbddulKareem who recalled her personal experience in the hands of some overzealous government and international agencies added that she had stood her ground and refused to put off her Hijab when forced to do so.
She said the persistent harassment and intimidation of women in Hijab, requires immediate attention from the government as this infringed on the right of the citizens.
She stressed that it was unlawful, unfair to insist that women should remove their hijabs when taking passport at the immigration offices or banks, saying the removal of hijab was needless since it would bring about a new identity of the person who dresses in hijab.
According to her, “I have encountered such but I stood my ground. I explained to them that my identity is in hijab and that’s how I appear everywhere I go. So, if I remove my hijab for the passport, it will not be me anymore because it will amount to a strange identity. I go about in hijab anywhere I want to go since the passport is expected to represent me, taking the passport with my identity which is in hijab will only be ideal. Sometimes one is forced to remove the ear before taking passport what has passport got to do with my identity. I have travelled to almost every part of the world with my hijab without harassment why should I be in my own country?”
Also speaking, Aisha Adams, the Women Affairs Secretary of the Lagos State Secretariat Mosque, urged women in Hijab not to be despair with the attacks, harassment, saying that hijab-wearing was obedience to the injunction of God Almighty.
She said it was unlawful that no government law prescribed discrimination of women in Hijab, adding that practice must be checked through a pronouncement by the government.
“When some people chose to be exposing their body and the society doesn’t have a problem with them, why should there be a problem with those who cover their body as commanded by God Almighty?”
Tag: Hijab
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World hijab day: Don encourages Muslim women
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Adamawa to review use of hijab in security-prone areas
Adamawa Government is considering a temporary review of the use of hijab —the head covering worn by Moslems in public places—in areas prone to insecurity as part of measures to contain suicide bombers.
Commissioner for Information Mallam Ahmad Sajoh, told reporters in Yola yesterday that the decision was taken at an emergency security meeting over Friday’s twin explosions in Madagali market that led to the death of scores.
Sajoh said Governor Muhammadu Bindow would meet with members of Adamawa Muslim Council and other stakeholders to discuss the possibility of taking that temporary measure, adding that those that carried out the Madagali suicide attack wore hijab.
Sajoh said the meeting also underscored the need for people to be more vigilant during this festive period and in places like markets, motor parks, churches and mosques.
“We also resolved at the meeting, based on security recommendations, to assist members of vigilance groups in the areas in view of their contribution to security agencies”, he added.
The commissioner said victims of the attack were responding to treatment in Michika General Hospital that the governor had directed all health personnel in neigbouring Hong and Mubi Local Governments to move to the affected area.
“The state emergency management agency has also been directed to give urgent support to victims and relations of victims.”
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Madagali blast: Adamawa plans to review use of hijab
Adamawa Government is considering temporary review of the use of hijab in security prone areas as part of measures to contain suicide bombers.
The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mallam Ahmad Sajoh, announced this on Sunday in Yola.
He was addressing newsmen on the outcome of an emergency security meeting over the Friday’s twin bomb blasts in Madagali market that led to many dead and injuries.
Sajoh said Gov. Muhammadu Bindow would meet with members of Adamawa Muslim Council and other stakeholders to discuss the possibility of taking that temporary measure, adding that those that carried out the Madagali suicide attack were in hijab.
Sajoh said the meeting also underscored the need for people to be more vigilant during this festive period and in places like markets, motor parks, churches and mosques.
“We also resolved in the meeting, based on security recommendations, to assist members of vigilance groups in the areas in view of their contribution to security agencies.
“We also want to appeal to the media on sensational reporting and the need to verify their facts before reporting.
The media need to know that the terrorists are banking on such sensational reports.”
The commissioner said victims of the attack were responding to treatment in Michika General Hospital and already, the governor had directed all health personnel in neigbouring Hong and Mubi Local Governments to move to the affected area.
“The state emergency management agency has also been directed to give urgent support to victims and relations of victims.” (NAN)
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Lagos seeks caution on use of hijab in public schools
The Lagos State Government has called for caution by all parties as it relates to the interpretation of the Appeal Court ruling over the use of hijab by female Muslim students in the State’s public primary and secondary schools, advising that the relative religious peace enjoyed in the State should not be sacrificed on the altar of religion.
A statement issued on Tuesday by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, stated that it was misleading and an attempt to misrepresent the general public that the right to wear hijab has been granted in Lagos State-owned public schools when the appeal process has not been exhausted.
The statement emphasized that while it is an indisputable fact that the Court of Appeal in its judgment of 21st July, 2016 upturned the judgment of the High Court of Lagos State, which had inter alia ruled that the use of hijab is not part of the school uniform in public primary and secondary schools in Lagos State and the rights of the Applicants under Sections 38 and 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended has not been violated, the State Government had since appealed the ruling of the Appeal Court to the Supreme Court.
According to the statement “It is not in dispute that the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division on 21st of July, 2016 upturned the judgment of the High Court of Lagos State which had inter alia ruled that the use of hijab is not part of school uniform in public primary and secondary school in Lagos State and the rights of the Applicants under Sections 38 and 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended has not been violated.”
‘’Just as the Applicants counsel exercised the constitutional right of appeal by appealing against the judgment, the state government has also appealed against the judgment of the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court,” the statement concluded.
The statement added that it was the position of the State Government that the issues that arose from the judgment of the Court of Appeal touches on the interpretation of the provisions of the Constitution and it is for the purposes of clarity that the Notice of Appeal together with the Motion on Notice for injunction pending appeal were served on the counsel to the applicants.
It therefore enjoined all those involved to allow the legal process to take its course on the matter and await the determination of the appeal lodged at the Supreme Court emphasizing that it was in the best interest of all parties and jurisprudence that the matter be given final interpretation by the Supreme Court.
The State Government however acknowledged the position of the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria and other segments of the Muslim community while urging understanding and restraint on their part, pending a final determination of the matter in the Supreme Court.
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Sultan: Hijab is a right, not privilege for Muslims
Sultan of Sokoto Sa’ad Abubakar III has canvassed fair treatment for Muslims across the nation.
According to him, Muslims want nothing but a very peaceful and stable Nigeria.
The Sultan spoke in Benin City at the General Assembly and Executive National Council Meeting of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
Muslims, according to him, were not asking for preferential or special treatment but given what they should have.
He frowned against stereotyping criminals and terrorists as Muslims, saying the bad eggs in the faith would be given fresh orientation to have a change of heart.
Abubakar praised the Pope for making a very strong statement defending Islam as a religion of peace.
On the hijab controversy, the Sultan said: “Hijab is our right not a privilege. It is not a favour to us. It is our right.
“And we hold on to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that guarantees freedom of worship.
“That is why we don’t disturb anybody who wants to go and worship the way he wants.”
He added: “Nigeria is a multi religious state, not a singular state. And being a multi-religious state, we must allow the various religions to go on but we must not trample on each other’s right, which means I must be allowed to practice my religion the way I believe as ordered me by the Holy Quran and nothing else.
“So when we get this done, the issue of hijab and so many other things affecting Islam I believe is our right, not a privilege unless the Constitution is changed.”
On bad elements in Islam, he said: “Those bad people among us, like in other religions, we should pick them out and teach them the tenets of Islam.
“If they refuse to change, that is their own problem. We will meet with the creator on the judgement day.
“In any society, there are many terribly bad people. So many, who are not Muslims but carry out criminal activities with some Muslim organisations in America, France and even in Nigeria.
“Those people doing negative things should be called criminals or terrorists but not Muslims.
“I’ve never heard of Christian terrorists but we have heard of so many Christians or followers of other religions who committed heinous crimes against humanity.
“But they didn’t claim to do it for their religions and we did not hold them against their religions.”
Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, called for the re-introduction of teaching of religion in schools.
This, he stated, would help to achieve peace and create a foundation for a fair and just society.
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Lagos sues for calm over hijab verdict
The Lagos State Government yesterday appealed for calm over last Thursday’s Court of Appeal’s verdict endorsing the use of hijab by Muslim schoolgirls.
It urged the people to be law-abiding and exercise restraint in pursuing their rights.
“We must not breach public peace. People should remember that to every right there is corresponding responsibility,” said a statement by Commissioner for Home Affairs Dr Abdulhakeem Abdullateef.
The verdict, the commissioner said, is victory for the rule of law and not for a particular religion or its followers.
The government, he said, recognises the rights to freedom of religion as enshrined in the Constitution and it has not at any time been at war with any religion or its followers.
He said: “As a government, we have continued to provide an enabling environment for all citizens irrespective of their religious affiliations. The Appeal Court pronouncement on the use of hijab in public schools is victory for the rule of law, victory for everyone.”
“No one should see this as war,there is no victor no vanquished in this situation. It is simply a constitutional issue on rights of citizens.”
AbdulLateef said the Akinwumi Ambode administration has since inception condemned harassment and victimisation of any individual on religious basis, including those who wear of hijab.
Also yesterday, two Islamic groups, Al-Mu’minaat Social Advocacy Project (SAP) and The Companion, said the verdict would increase girl-child enrolment in public primary and secondary schools.
SAP Coordinator Mrs Sherifah Yusuf-Ajibade said the verdict came when privately run Muslim schools were beyond the reach of the common man, because of the prevailing economic challenges.
“The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Number Five seeks to attain equality for men and women. This starts with giving both genders equal opportunities; particularly equal educational opportunities. Recent surveysshow that even here in metropolitan Lagos, there is a significant percentage of parents who would rather get theirgirl-children married after acquiring primary schoolthan enrol them in secondary schools,where their faiths are not guaranteed.This judgement will give hope to such parents, thus enhancing girl-child enrolment in Lagos primary and secondary schools, and ensuring Muslim parents and their children are not forced to choose between their religion and education; both of which are essential ingredients of a good life,” she said.
The Companion President Alhaji Musibau Oyefeso said there would have been no need for the judicial process “if the Lagos State government had taken the right steps which states like Ekiti had taken long before now by allowing female Muslim pupils in public schools that chose to wear hijab to do so. It is unfortunate that the state government (which prides itself as centre of excellence) succumbed to the whims and caprices of mischievous and overzealous school heads and teachers to ban the use of hijab in public schools. It is a well known fact all over the world that hijab is the divine right of female Muslims which is allowed in public schools in virtually all countries of the world including the United Kingdom and United States as well as global organisations like the United Nations and its agencies.
“For anybody to attempt to deny this right is an effort in futility and we are happy that the Court of Appeal was courageous enough to uphold this right. We call on the government not to attempt to appeal the judgment as it would amount to deliberate squandering of state scarce resources.”
“Instead, the government should just take steps to invite Muslims and other stakeholders to design appropriate hijab for the use of the female Muslim pupils that opt to use hijab. This in our opinion is the most appropriate and sensible thing to do without further delay.”
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Appeal Court okays hijab for Lagos schoolgirls
Female Muslim pupils in Lagos State can now wear hijab to school, the Court of appeal ruled yesterday.
The appellate court voided the 2014 verdict of a Lagos High Court, which outlawed the wearing of hijab by the pupils.
In a unanimous decision, a special five-man panel presided over by Justice A.S. Gumel held that it would amount to discrimination on religious ground if the pupils were disallowed to wear hijab.
Others on the panel are Justices M. Fasanmi, A. Jauro, J. S. Ikyegh and I. Jombo Ofor.
The appeal was filed by two female pupils of Atunrase Junior High School in Surulere, Asiyat Kareem and Mariam Oyeniyi, under the aegis of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit.
The appeal followed the dismissal of their suit by Justice Modupe Onyeabor of the Ikeja High Court on October 17, 2014, which challenged the government ban on hijab use in public schools.
In the lead judgement Justice Gumel held: “The wearing of hijab is an Islamic injunction and also an act of worship,” hence it will constitute a clear violation of the appellants’ constitutionally guaranteed rights to stop them from wearing the hijab in public schools.”
Resolving all the five issues raised in favour of the appellants, the appellate court held that the lower court erred in law when it held that the hijab ban is the policy of Lagos State Government (respondent).
It noted that no circular was presented before the lower court to show such a policy existed, adding that “he who asserts must prove”.
The court observed that if there was such a policy, it should have emanated from the House of Assembly and not the Executive Arm of government.
It held that the fundamental human rights of female Muslim pupils as enshrined in Section 38 (1) of the 1999 Constitution was violated by the respondent.
The appellate court dismissed the govrnment’s argument that it made an exception by allowing the pupils to wear hijab during prayers.
The government banned hijab because it is not part of the approved school uniform.
Following the ban, Asiyat and Mariam, suing through their parents, Abdulkareem Raji and Sulaimon Oyeniyi, filed a case on May 27, 2014, asking the court to declare the ban a violation of their rights to freedom of thought, religion and education.
Dismissing the case, Justice Onyeabor held that the ban was not discriminatory.
According to her, the ban did not violate Sections 38 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution as claimed by the plaintiffs. The judge said Section 10 of the Constitution made Nigeria a secular state, adding that government must maintain neutrality at all time. Justice Onyeabor said the government has a duty to preserve the secularity of the institutions concerned as argued by the then Lagos State Solicitor-General, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN).
She noted that since government funds public schools it is competent to issue dress codes and other guidelines pupils.
According to her, the use of uniforms engenders uniformity and encourages pupils to pursue their mutual academic aspirations without recourse to religious or any other affiliations.
The judge observed that the uniformity sought by the government in the issuance of the dress code would be destroyed, if the plaintiffs’ prayers were be granted.
Responding to the judgement, Lagos State Area Unit MSSN President Saheed Ashafa said the right to wear hijab was long overdue.
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MSSN Amirah urges Lagos to implement hijab verdict
The Amirah of Lagos State Area Unit Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Hajia Hafsah Badru, yesterday urged the Lagos State Government to immediately implement the Court of Appeal ruling on the right of female pupils to wear hijab (Islamic headscarf) in public primary and secondary schools across the state.
A special five-man panel of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, yesterday set aside the judgment of Justice Modupe Onyeabor of an Ikeja High Court, on October 17, 2014, which banned pupils in state-owned primary and secondary schools from wearing the hijab on their school uniforms.
In a unanimous decision, the court, presided over by Justice A. B. Gumel held that the appeal was meritorious and should be allowed.
It also held that the refusal to allow female Muslim pupils wear the hijab “will amount to discrimination on the ground of their religion.”
Other Justices in the panel are Justice M. Fasanmi, Justice A. Jauro, Justice J. S. Ikyegh and Justice I. Jombo Ofor.
Justice Gumel held that “the wearing hijab is an Islamic injunction and also an act of worship,” hence it will constitute “a clear violation of the appellants’ constitutionally guaranteed rights to stop them from wearing the hijab in public schools.”
Hajia Badru urged stakeholders in the Education sector, especially the principals and teachers, to abide by the ruling.
She said it would be an offence to molest or harass any female pupil who wears hijab on her uniform henceforth, adding that MSSN would not hesitate to take necessary action in accordance with the law to ensure justice for any pupil molested or harassed.
The Amirah urged all female pupils to ensure the proper use of the hijab, because it is a garment of honour, adding: “They should hold the moral teaching which hijab has brought and strive towards academic excellence. They should emulate Asiyah AbdulKareem, who despite the persecution, still excel, to the point of recognition by the Lagos State government,” she said.
She thanked the Adetola Kazeem SAN-led legal team and all those who joined in the struggle from onset, saying: “Verily at the end of the tunnel, there is light.”
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Appeal Court annuls Hijab ban in Lagos State schools
A special five-man panel of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, Thursday set aside the judgment of a Lagos High Court that banned students in Lagos State-owned primary and secondary schools from wearing the hijab (Islamic headscarf) on their school uniforms.
In a unanimous decision, the court presided over by Justice A. B. Gumel held that the appeal is meritorious and same should be allowed.
It held further that the refusal to allow female Muslim students wear the hijab “will amount to discrimination on the ground of their religion.”
Other Justices in the panel are Justice M. Fasanmi, Justice A. Jauro, Justice J. S. Ikyegh and Justice I. Jombo Ofor.
The appeal was filed by two female students of Atunrase Junior High School, Surulere, Asiyat Kareem and Mariam Oyeniyi, under the aegis of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit. MSSN, Lagos State Area Unit.
It followed the dismissal of their suit challenging the ban by Justice Modupe Onyeabor of an Ikeja High Court on October 17, 2014.
In his lead judgement Thursday, Justice Gumel held that “the wearing of hijab is an Islamic injunction and also an act of worship,” hence it will constitute “a clear violation of the appellants’ constitutionally guaranteed rights to stop them from wearing the hijab in public schools.”
Resolving all the five issues raised in favour of the appellants, the appellate court held that the lower court erred in law when it held that ban of hijab is a policy of the Lagos State Government (respondent).
The court noted that no circular was presented before the lower court to show that it was a policy of Lagos State, adding that “he who asserts must prove.”
There court observed further that if there was such a policy, it ought to have emanated from the State House of Assembly and not the Executive Arm of government.
Consequently, it held that the fundamental human rights of female Muslim students as enshrined in Section 38 (1) of the 1999 Constitution was violated by the Respondent.
The appellate court dismissed the argument of Lagos State that it made an exception by allowing female Muslim students to wear the hijab during prayers.
The government had banned the use of hijab on the argument that it was not part of the approved school uniform for pupils.
Following this, 12-year-old Kareem and Oyeniyi suing through their parents, Abdulkareem Raji and Sulaimon Oyeniyi, filed the suit on May 27, 2015, seeking redress and asked the court to declare the ban as a violation of their rights to freedom of thought, religion and education.
In her judgment, Justice Onyeabor held that the prohibition of the wearing of hijab over school uniforms within and outside the premises of public schools was not discriminatory.
According to her, the ban did not violate Sections 38 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution as claimed by the plaintiffs. The judge said Section 10 of the Constitution made Nigeria a secular state and that government must maintain neutrality at all times. Onyeabor said the government therefore had a duty to preserve the secular nature of the institutions concerned as argued by the then Lagos State Solicitor-General, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN).
She noted that since the public schools were being funded by the government, it was therefore competent to issue dress codes and other guidelines to the students.
According to her, the use of uniforms engenders uniformity and encourages students to pursue their mutual academic aspirations without recourse to religious or any other affiliations.
The judge observed that the uniformity sought by the government in the issuance of the dress code would be destroyed, should the prayers of the plaintiffs be granted.
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Hijab: Appeal Court delivers judgment today
The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, will today deliver judgment on whether or not students in Lagos public primary and secondary schools can wear the hijab (Muslim headscarf) on their uniforms.
Amir (President) of the Lagos State Area Unit of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Saheed Ashafa, said yesterday that according to a hearing notice made available by the court, the judgment will be delivered in Court Two by 9am.
A special five-man panel of the court led by Justice A. B. Gumel had on May 27, reserved its judgement on the matter after asking parties involved in the case to update their defence documents.
Other justices in the panel set up by the Court of Appeal President Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa are Justices M. Fasanmi, A. Jauro, J.S. Ikejegh and I. Jombo Ofor.
Justice Modupe Onyeabor of an Ikeja High Court had on October 17, 2014, dismissed the suit instituted against the Lagos State Government by two 12-year old girls, Asiyah Kareem and Mariam Oyeniyi, under the aegis of the MSSN, Lagos State Area Unit.
Dissatisfied, the appellant approached the appellate court seeking to set aside the judgment and protect their Constitutional rights.
They argued that the ban was a violation of their rights to freedom of thought, religion and education.
The government had banned the use of hijab on the argument that it was not part of the approved school uniform for pupils.