Area Unit has asked the leadership of All Progressives
Congress, APC, to caution Governor Babatunde Fashola
over his clampdown on Islam and Muslims in the state.
The group said this in a press statement signed by its
President, Kaamil Kalejaiye ahead of the judgement
expected to be delivered by Justice Grace Modupe Onyeabo,
on whether or not the use of Hijab (Muslim head-scarf)
should be allowed by female Muslim students.
Justice Onyeabo after hearing both the complainant (MSSN)
and defendants (Lagos State Government) adjourned the
matter for the final judgment.
The pronouncement to give the final judgment came after
the case was adjourned for about five times, most of which
came on applications by the government's counsel.
It would be recalled that the Lagos State Government
banned the use of Hijab on the argument that it was not part
of the approved school uniform for students.
Following that, MSSN proceeded to court to seek redress and
protect Muslim females from being flogged, embarrassed,
and victimised for using Hijab within and outside school
premises.
While emphasizing that Hijab was not only religiously
compulsory but constitutional, Kassim said, "Hijab, is Allah's
injunction as stated in the Holy Quran, as well as a
fundamental rights as fully established in the Constitution of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
"We are not demanding for a full lent Hijab, we have
exhibited a photograph of a sample of Hijab, which still
represents their school identity. The colour of the Hijab can
conform to the school uniform. All we want is for the
students to be allowed to use Hijab. If beret and caps are
allowed for female students, Hijab shouldn't be an
exemption."
Kalejaiye said the governor was labelled bad example of a
Muslim due to his stamping measures on Islam.
"Governor Fashola has disappointed a lot of Muslims in
Lagos State, firstly with his decision to demolish the mosque
within the premises of Lagos State Government Secretariat,
when even the Presidential Villa and National Assembly in
Abuja have mosques. He went further to appoint all the six
state's Education District Head (Permanent Secretaries)
without considering at least a Muslim as against previous
appointments, whereas there are many qualified Muslims
for the job. Now he has deliberately trampled upon our
citizenry rights by denying Muslim female students the
freedom of dressing", he added.
He expressed worry that the group had to seek redress in
court for a right that has been clearly stated in the
constitution.
He said, "We cannot afford to see our Muslimahs dress
naked. Silence of Muslims must not be taken as a weakness;
it is just our own way of respecting leadership as taught by
our religion. But when silence no longer becomes golden,
then we must seek redress.
Hijab is an apparel of honour, a garment of modesty and a
shield against immorality. It is our pride. It is our dignity.
"Nigeria's constitution grants Freedom of Religion,
Conscience and Expression. It states clearly the rights to
wear anything one feels comfortable with, so far as it is
neither provocative nor irresponsible. We are neither
seeking for a favour nor asking for a privilege; we are simply
demanding our rights. It is important to note here that Hijab
has been granted by Muslim minority states, how much
more Lagos State with Muslim majority."
Also, the Amirah (Female President) of the students-based
society, Hajia Hafsah Badru added, "It also important to note
that we are not calling for the Hijab to be compelled on
students, our demand is simply: permit Hijab and
discriminate not against nor victimize the Hijabites. The
issue of Islamising Lagos schools does not hold any ground
since the mode of dressing in all government schools is
already Christian (School uniform with beret for females and
short for males as against Hijab and trousers for Muslims).
"Leaders of Fashola's party should better call him and his
aides to order or else we won't go back on our decision
come 2015, NO HIJAB NO VOTE", she added
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