The Supreme Court recently gave a decision permitting the usage of the hijab in all state-run institutions, and the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, Lagos Unit, has requested that the Lagos State Government release a circular regarding the decision.
Miftahudeen Thanni, the group’s president, called on the government to issue a circular warning officials against harassing Muslim women wearing the hijab.
He added that issuing the circular would prevent “overzealous” teachers and principals from engaging in contempt of court.
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The press conference was held at the Lagos Secretariat Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja, on Monday, June 27.
The MSSN President said;
This is not to castigate the Lagos State Government but to appeal for the prompt implementation of the Supreme Court judgement.
We waited patiently to get the judgement and we were lawful throughout.
During this period, we consulted, collaborated, protested, held rallies and sensitised government officials on why a willing Muslim female should be allowed to put on the hijab.
After around ten years of legal wrangling, the Supreme Court on Friday, July 17 permitted Muslim female pupils in Lagos State wearing the hijab to school.
The majority verdict upheld the Court of Appeal’s earlier ruling that allowed Muslim female students in Lagos State to once again wear the headscarf.
The Lagos State Government attempted to get the Court of Appeal’s ruling stayed of execution because it was upset with the verdict, but it was unsuccessful.
In November 2018, the Lagos State Government issued an earlier circular to all principals of public secondary schools instructing them to allow students.
Miftahudeen added;
When the Lagos State Government issued the circular, we thought relief had come, but it is utterly unfortunate that some school authorities and some defective teachers are working against the circular.
Instead of obeying the circular, some school principals, vice-principals and teachers feign ignorance of the approval of Hijab in Lagos State, and desperately began to deal with our members.
For no reason should a girl-child be denied education again in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.
The images of Muslim students sent out of the examination hall for wearing hijab touch the heart and consistently bring tears to the eyes. We do not want this to recur.
The group further the educational authorities of seeking to jeopardize law and order by infringing on the rights of female Muslim students across the state.
They are interested in ultimately jeopardising law and order.
The education of the girl-child is very paramount in our hearts. No Muslim girl should ever be told to choose between her faith and education. Both are her rights.
We demand that the Lagos State Government issue a circular within 30 days after the delivery of the judgement allowing Hijab.
The Lagos State Government should sanction officials who go against the Supreme Court judgment and hold a meeting with MSSNLagos, Muslim leaders and other Islamic organisations on the size and modalities of using the hijab.
