‘Hijab: A fundamental human right of female Muslims’

In a release signed by Dr Saudat Abdul Baqi, National  Amirah  (President) and Abdulmajeed Shakirat, National PRO, of the body made available to Daily Trust, it reiterated that the use of hijab by female Muslims is a religious obligation over which neither the user nor anybody has a choice.“Islam as a complete way of life […]

In a release signed by Dr Saudat Abdul Baqi, National  Amirah  (President) and Abdulmajeed Shakirat, National PRO, of the body made available to Daily Trust, it reiterated that the use of hijab by female Muslims is a religious obligation over which neither the user nor anybody has a choice.
“Islam as a complete way of life has laid down rules and regulations governing every aspect of a Muslim’s life as defined by the Holy Qur’an and the Hadith. It is obligatory on every Muslim female to use hijab as dictated by Almighty Allah,(Q24:31).
“It is therefore the fundamental human right of female Muslims in consonance with Section 38 (1) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that guarantees not only freedom of religion but also freedom to practice it,” the release said.
The Criterion  also said: “It is a known fact that Muslims are predominant in Iwo and female Muslim students have been using hijab at public schools in the town from time immemorial.  There has not been any policy statement in this regard and there has been peaceful co-existence among the diverse groups in all schools  – Baptist High School, Iwo inclusive – until recently when the fundamental rights of Muslim students to use hijab was toyed with.
“Available facts show that the school has an overwhelming Muslim population. The demographic data shows that the total number of students in the school is 2,123. Of this number, Muslims are 79%, Christians 29% while others are 2%.  The number of female students is also 1,167 while male students are 956; by inference, there are more Muslim female students than their non-Muslim counterparts.”
It recalled, “the ugly events of Monday February 3, 2014 and Tuesday, February 4, 2014, when some students dressed to school in different choir regalia, Boy’s Brigade uniform while others dressed in traditional religious attires,” describing it as “worrisome”.
“The following day, Tuesday, a masquerade entered the school and caused great confusion and apprehension. Could those behind these acts have been pricked by the success recorded by the celebration of World Hijab Day of February 1, 2014?,” the group said.
It maintained that, “the use of hijab by all Muslim females is a religious act, and given the fact that there is freedom of religion in the country, any action that will encumber the practice of our religion will not be acceptable.
“Muslims are not copying anybody by wearing hijab, it is a religious obligation, and non-Muslims are free to use the school uniform of their choice. To this end, we call the attention of the state government to the fact that any school which discriminates against female Muslim children on account of race, tribe or religion has run contrary to the Nigerian Child Rights Act of 2003 and Article 11, 21 and 26 of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child 1990 (OAU doc. CAB/LEG/24.9/49/1990) of which Nigeria is a signatory.”
 The Criterion said that as Muslims, they are not imposing their culture or way of life on other religious adherents, “but we must be allowed to practice our religion freely without any intimidation, harassment or oppression.
“We call on all citizens irrespective of their religious beliefs or affiliation to allow peace to reign by being our brothers’ keepers and shun all forms of violence and promote peaceful coexistence.”