MSSN, NACOMYO kick over ban on hijab in Lagos schools

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7 years ago

THE Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), B-Zone, has condemned what it called an attempt by the Lagos State government to continue its denial of female Muslims their right to the use of hijab in educational institutions despite a ruling of the Court of Appeal.

The state government had reportedly declared through the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr AbdulLateef AbdulHakeem, that hijab use remained banned in public schools in the state until the determination of its appeal on the matter by the Supreme Court.

In a statement by the Amir, Mr Qaasim Odedeji; Secretary, Alhaji Abdul Jalil Abdur Rasaq and Public Relations Officer, Mr Bashir Momoh, the MSSN B-Zone expressed surprise that the state government could chose “the path of lawlessness” and go against a unanimous decision of the Court of Appeal on the use of hijab in its schools.

The organisation said it was determined to fight “this brazen lawlessness and insensitivity of the highest order with every lawful means at our disposal.”

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In the same vein, the state chapter of the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) described as wrong and unacceptable, the position of the state government on the matter.

“We like to point out that the supremacy of the rule of law is the hallmark of the democracy currently in practise in the country. This includes obedience to judgments of courts of law by all, irrespective of one’s status in the society.

“However, we are not unmindful of the judicial practice that obedience to a judgment of court can be delayed only if there is a valid appeal backed by a stay of execution of the judgment being appealed against,” the Lagos NACOMYO said in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Dr Abd’Wasi’ Moshood.

The organisation argued that the government had refused to tell Lagosians whether it had got a stay of execution of the judgment of the Court of Appeal to justify “this executive lawlessness.”

However, it reiterated its call on all Muslims to remain calm in the light of “this recent provocation and assault on our constitutional freedom of worship.”