By Aramide Oikelome Snr Correspondent, Lagos
Female Muslim students protesting the ban on Hijab in public schools.
“It is only in Nigeria that a letter written in April 2014 by the Attorney General of Lagos State did not differ from the judgment delivered today both in content and basis. The basis of the judgment is that Nigeria is a secular state and the judge quoted European constitution and Turkish law extensively, neglecting the fact that Nigeria constitution recognises two major religion (Islam and Christianity) to the extent that government declares public holidays to celebrate the festivities of the two religion. Earlier in the week, the Turkish government has even issued a circular permitting the use of hijab in their secondary school.
“We shall appeal the judgment in the court of appeal. It is interesting if a fellow judge, Justice Oyewole of the same Lagos State High Court have delivered ruling in a similar case of Lagos State School of Health Technology, where hijab is allowed and similar judgment by Court of Appeal permitting even the use of hijab.
“We reject the judgment and we will appeal the judgment in the court of appeal, we firmly believe that our right as guaranteed by the Nigerian constitution shall be upheld.”
The above outburst represents the summary of the stance of The Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit, while frowning at the judgment recently delivered by Justice Grace Onyeabo of the Ikeja High Court, Lagos, upholding the state government’s ban on the use of hijab (veil used by Muslim women to cover their head and neck) in its primary and secondary schools.
Although the MSS did not say so explicitly, it will be noted that Justice Onyeabo is a Christian.
Reacting to the judge’s ruling on Friday September 17, 2014, the judge rejected numerous arguments presented during the case which spanned about two year, including that sections of the Nigerian constitution and international laws guaranteed the freedom of religion, thought and conscience. The group described the judgment as a rape of the nation’s constitution.
Its Amir (President), Alhaji Kaamil Kalejaiye, said: “It is unfair that the judgment denied us a right that is not only godly, but constitutionally stated. Do we call that a misinterpretation of the constitution or rape of the code of law? We want to believe that the dictates of the constitution must stand at all times. While we remain undaunted and won’t relent on our moves to get female pupils dress accordingly, because it is their right, we reject in totality the judgment and urge every Muslims to do so too.”
In view of the raging controversy generated by this development, Sunday Independent spoke with Nigerians of both faiths.
For Azeezat Onigemo, Female President, Amirah Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (Kosofe Area Council), “today, Muslim Students Society is agitated over the issue of wearing of hijab because we want to ensure that every Muslim student that is willing to use hijab to cover herself is allowed to do so. Obviously everybody cannot be willing to dress this way, hence if we enforce it on everybody, some may protest.
“It is unfortunate that many Muslim students have been molested because of their stand on dressing in accordance with the demand of their faith. How can a principal, security man or teacher subject a student to all forms of molestation and beating because she is out to exercise her civic right to practice her faith as deemed fit? We all have equal rights and should be allowed to exercise it.
“My take is that the governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, is playing politics with this matter to curry the favour of non-Muslims in the state. That is why he is being so rigid about it,” she said.
On why a Muslim lady should use hijab, she says, “it is an injunction that every part of a Muslim woman’s body should be covered. So, it is a mandate that everyone must obey.
“Those who fail to use it are doing so because of their limited level of understanding but that is not to say that we should violent the rights of people.
Reacting, Dr. Sunday Ola Makinde, Prelate Emeritus of the Methodist Church Nigeria, believes that if the Muslims students are allowed to use hijab, “what happened in Osun State may repeat itself, and there will be chaos. Let us forget about religious wears in public schools and concentrate on learning and better performance. The standard of education is falling. Let us improve it rather than waste our time and energy on dressing.
“The reality is: How do we improve our standard of education? Let us continue to see how we can improve our standard of education and concentrate on discipline and character building.”
He argues that “we are one; we are from the same parent. Religion should not cause problem in the South West, we are all brothers and sisters. I am appealing to our Muslims students to provide a decent and peaceful environment for learning.”
According to Pastor Olanrewaju Olaleye, a Zonal Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), “the essence of hijab, they say, is to reflect the culture of Muslim dressing, and the education we are talking about is western education.
“If it were to be in an Alimajiri school that they want to be wearing hijab, no problem. But, as long as is not an Alimajiri school, they have to abide by the culture or rules of the school.
“It is not part of human right; the issue of fighting the court is completely out of it. There is no way such war could be won.
For Assistant Pastor Patricia Ehiremhen, also of the RCCG, “I believe the law of the land should be obeyed. If this is allowed, you will see other people coming up with their own agitation tomorrow.
“There are rules everywhere. As long as you are in a place, you have to abide by the law. Flouting this instruction is an unruly behaviour.
Countering this and other similar arguments, Saheed Olaniyi, Vice President, Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, Agboyi, Ketu, noted that “the use of hijab is a commandment from Allah, that all females should cover their private body parts. In Islam, this private body parts starts from the head to the toes. Islam gives high preference to this; hence, it is compulsory.
“So, what the government is doing is a violation of Islamic injunction. In addition, our constitution talks about the freedom of expression and religion. So, there is no reason Muslim students should be barred from using hijab, if they so desire. It is absolutely unacceptable.”
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