Need for religious tolerance

To keen observers, one of the major sources of controversy in Nigeria has been the issue of the hijab. The hijab – a head gear donned by female Muslims – had generated a lot of hullabaloos in several quarters.

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It is clear that Nigeria is a multi-religious society. In other words, it welcomes all shades of religions. It is even of particular note that the Nigerian constitution grants each individual the right to uphold and practise any religion of their wish without being persecuted or hounded. Islam is one of the popular religions in Nigeria and beyond. A sizeable amount of Muslims lives in Nigeria.

The hijab, just like the five-daily prayers, is a well pronounced aspect of Islam. Thus, repudiating those donning the hijab and calling for the ban of hijab is tantamount to banishing Islam which is in contrast to the dictate of the constitution.Religious tolerance should be encouraged at all levels and fanaticism should not be allowed an inch in our national life. Extremism has cost us a lot in Nigeria and we have paid dearly for this. Many lives have been lost as a result of religious extremism and this should stop forthwith.

Abdullah Abdulganiy, University of Ilorin, Kwara State