Al-Mu’minaat slams Trump over travel ban on Muslim nations •OIC expresses concern

AN Islamic organisation, Al-Mu’minaat, has condemned the executive order by the United States president, Donald Trump, banning citizens of seven Muslim countries from entering the US, saying “the order is out of order”.

At a briefing at its National Headquarters in Jibowu, Lagos, on Wednesday, to mark the World Hijab Day, the organisation’s president, Hajiya Nimatullah Abdullateef-Abdulquadir, said President Trump’s order was tantamount to racism and religious intolerance.

She enjoined Trump to heed the calls of other world leaders, including his immediate predecessor, Barack Obama and British Prime Minister, Theresa May, to withdraw the order.

Also, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expressed concern over the executive order passed by US President Trump banning nationals of seven OIC member states from the United States.

The OIC General Secretariat stated that this decision would further complicate the “already grave challenges” facing refugees.

As a result of this ban, many of those fleeing war and persecution have been adversely and unjustly affected, OIC said in a statement posted on its website.

“Such selective and discriminatory acts will only serve to embolden the radical narratives of extremists and will provide further fuel to the advocates of violence and terrorism at a critical time when the OIC has been engaged with all partners, including the US, to combat extremism and terrorism in all their forms and manifestations.

“The OIC calls upon the United States government to reconsider this blanket decision and maintain its moral obligation to provide leadership and hope at a time of great uncertainty and unrest in the world.”

The 90-day ban affects travel to the United States by citizens of Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen. All are OIC members.

The order also suspends refugee admissions for 120 days and indefinitely bars the processing of refugees from Syria.

Hajiya Abdullateef-Abdulquadir, at the World Hijab Day briefing, also condemned the harassment of hijab-wearing Muslim women, saying “the challenges faced by Muslim women in the country as a result of their desire to wear the hijab continue to leave a bitter taste in our mouth”.

She called on the National Assembly and state houses of assembly to make legislations that will guarantee the right of Muslim women to dress according to their religious belief.