Muslim teachers tasked on unity, exemplary conduct

MUSLIM teachers have been charged to unite to achieve their common cause while showing exemplary conduct in the discharge of their duties.

The charge was given during the inaugural meeting of the Muslim Teachers’ Association of Nigeria (MUTAN), South West, at Adekile Goodwill Grammar School, Ibadan, Oyo State, last weekend.

In a communique issued at after the meeting, which drew participants from Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states, MUTAN members were implored to see one another as one, help each other on lawful deeds and ensure no division in the association.

“Our faith is one. The Qur’an is one and Allah is one. Our challenges are the same, hence the need for us as MUTAN members in South West Nigeria to come together as one,” MUTAN stated.

The communique was signed by MUTAN Lagos State president, Alhaji Fatai Oladejo; Ogun State secretary, Dr Tajudeen Uthman; Ondo State chairman, Alhaji Fatai Adanlawo; Osun State chairman, Malam M.O Arogundade; and Oyo State chairman, Comrade Abdul Waheed Gbadamosi.

The association, which is made up of teaching and non-teaching members of staff of schools, appealed to education authorities to protect the right of female Muslim students to wear hijab in conformity with constitutional provisions and the pronouncement of the Supreme Court.

“Despite the Supreme Court judgement which granted female Muslim students the right to adorn hijab, many school teachers and principals are still persecuting them by forcing them to remove their hijab.

“Despite clarification by examination bodies such as the West African Examination Council, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board and the National Examination Council, some teachers and principals are still forcing female Muslim students to remove their hijabs before they are allowed to have biometric data capture,” MUTAN observed.

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It also deplored the low number of Muslims in senior education posts such as commissioners, permanent secretaries, principals and vice principals relative to the number of qualified Muslims.

The association implored Muslim teachers and students to shun examination malpractice, saying it is antithetical to the teaching of Islam.

MUTAN called for increased funding of education to boost the Nigeria’s human resources.

The meeting had the Baagi of Saki, Oba Abdul Rasheed Adegoke, as the royal father of the day. Other dignitaries in attendance are Alhaji Olufemi Tiamiyu Bakare, pioneer chairman of Lagos State MUTAN; Alhaji Taofeeq Akinyemi, pioneer chairman of the association in Oyo State; Alhaji Abdul Hakeem Abdul Jabaar, the guest lecturer and a former Oyo State chairman of the association; and Alhaji M.O. Kelani, former deputy chairman, Oyo State MUTAN.