Fashola should #BringbackourHijab

 As a lawyer and a politician, Fashola is undoubtedly aware of right to religion and personal life. If Islamic groups that advocate for Islamic states through arms struggle are leveled extremist then, surely, what Fashola did must be termed as intolerance, if not blasphemy, taking it from religious angle.  Fashola, being a Muslims, perhaps, knows […]

 As a lawyer and a politician, Fashola is undoubtedly aware of right to religion and personal life. If Islamic groups that advocate for Islamic states through arms struggle are leveled extremist then, surely, what Fashola did must be termed as intolerance, if not blasphemy, taking it from religious angle.
 Fashola, being a Muslims, perhaps, knows that wearing hijab by females is mandatory as instructed by Allah in the Glorious Qur’an. Likewise in Christianity, covering of the body is compulsory as can be seen practiced by the nuns.
 I was not convinced by the reasons given for banning of hijab. Unlike Lagos, in Katsina there is a law that mandated all female students to wear hijab in schools.
This is because of so many reasons, firstly, it inculcates morality and values into the female students as they will be mothers in the future to raise family and societies.
 Secondly, studies need focus, mixing of male and female students would increase and promote sexual attraction of the students. Uncovered students may tempt their male counterparts and teachers to promote unhealthy desires.
 Thirdly, the issue of rape is on the increase everywhere. Indecent dressing, nudity and even ordinary exposure of body parts of females have been identified as the main factors promoting rape in schools and societies.
Among other reasons, covering of the body by students is a religious duty, sacred and cannot be played with in respect to freedom of religion as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution as amended.
In Uganda, Saudi Arabia, Iran, etc., there is a “national dress code law” that checks all indecent dressing in those countries. This is because, protecting, advancing and promoting morality and values is a function of every government in a society.
If for any reason the government thinks of security issues as a reason to ban use of hijab, the government should find a way of removing that threat without necessarily banning what is right, lawful and dignifying.
 Jari wrote from Faculty of law, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto