World Hijab Day: Govt officials flouting appeal court verdict, Muslim students tell Sanwo-Olu

WHD PRESS – The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit has asked the Lagos State Government to issue a circular reminding school administrators of the court’s ruling which allows Muslim students to use the hijab in schools.

Amirah (female president) of MSSN in Lagos State, Basheerah Majekodunmi, made this known while speaking to journalists during a press conference to commemorate the 2022 World Hijab Day.

Majekodunmi called on the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, to order the issuance of a circular in compliance with the Court of Appeal judgment granting the use of hijab in public schools.

She explained that many principals, teachers, and administrators are causing crises in schools under the guise that they did not receive the previously issued circular under Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration.

The student leader, however, warned school principals and teachers against victimisation and discrimination of Muslim students, describing it as a fight against morality and public approval of indecency among young people.

“Ignorance is no excuse before the law. These teachers and Principals who either feign ignorance or turn a deaf ear to justice and morality have made it difficult and fearful for students to use their hijab as prescribed by their creator!“

It is high time the Lagos State Government issued another circular that will be better publicised. We enjoin peace in Lagos State and we don’t want a crisis. Some principals and teachers are acting unlawfully and in a manner that could cause an outrage without quick intervention,” she stated.

Majekodunmi also acknowledged efforts by the state government to provide quality education for the school students but warned that continuous victimisation of students may sabotage these efforts.“

The picture of Governor Sanwo-Olu sitting with a hijab-wearing student is a clear contrast of the injustice meted on some students who also choose to wear the hijab in other schools,” She added.

She lamented a case of two female Muslim students of Igboye Community High School, Igboye, Epe, who were made to stand outside the classroom in the sun while their classmates were writing an examination, stating that MSSN Lagos will continue to take such cases up until the Supreme Court’s verdict.

Majekodunmi, therefore, advised students to aspire to be great no matter the challenges and speak out when they experience any form of molestation or victimisation.

The 2022 World Hijab Day which is themed Hijab is our Crown, not A Crime is organised across the world as a reiteration of the disapproval of continuous harassment of females in schools and workplaces also to put an end to such practices.

Other organisations present at the press conference were Nasrul-lahi-li Fathi Society of Nigeria, Al Muminaat (The Believing Women) Organisation, Hijab Rights Advocacy Initiative, Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria, and Muslim Public Affairs Centre, Guild of Muslim Professionals.

Others are Lagos Secretariat Community Central Mosque, Muslim Rights Concern, Pristine Cactus Foundation, The Criterion, International Muslim Women Union, NACOMYO

Pure Heart Islamic Foundation (Lagos), Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria, Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates Association, Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria, Women in Dawah, Akhawat, and Izarul Haq Movement of Nigeria