Hijab is the basic female dress not only in Islam but also in Christianity and Judaism. Several Quranic verses and prophetic traditions are unequivocal on the religious significance of the Hijab. The portrait representation of Maryam (Mary), the mother of Prophet Isa (Jesus) is sufficient proof (May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon both Isa and Maryam). In the Catholic Churches, the religious cum official outlook of the nuns is incomplete without a head over. Whether called hijab, head-cover, or scarf, it has cultural and religious significance. Also, it serves as an index of civilization as it was a unique dress for chaste and female elites in many ancient civilized nations like those of the Byzantine, Sassanid, etc. These were empires that were located in areas now known as the European and Asian continents of today. History has recorded that in those nations, female slaves were not allowed to cover their heads as that was preserved for free ladies of the high class. Even in the Jahiliyyah period in the Arab lands (an era before the birth of Prophet Muhammad), the hijab was a part of women’s dress. This was so despite the social, political, economic, and religious corruption that characterized them. So, the use of hijab was a beautiful feature of noblewomen in the past while nudity was identified with those considered to be of inferior social status. It underscores the decency and modesty in a woman which in turn confers on her dignity and respect. The idea that decency does not have anything to do with how a lady appears can only be promoted and espoused in a hedonistic society.
The aversion and hatred for hijab in the public space especially in our learning institutions are too disgusting to ignore. It started with the Female Muslim students in schools that were formerly owned by the missionaries and which later became public schools after the government took over them. It is a notorious trend that requires no example to justify. Whether the instances in Kwara State or those in Oyo State, the general public are not oblivious of attempts by the relevant school authorities to deny Muslim female students their God-given and constitutional rights to cover their heads to appear decently and modestly.
Due to religious intolerance, it is understandable if a non-Muslim is not comfortable with the Muslim female students wearing Hijab or Niqab. But it is rather unfortunate and absurd for Muslims to at least harbor any reservation against Hijab talk less of fighting it.
The recent case of Hijabophobia in LAUTECH is disheartening as it came at the instance of a Muslim Professor. The scene of the incident which has now gone viral compels one to ask some questions. Is the Professor not a Muslim by birth for him to understand the value of Hijab in Islam? Did he have any personal scores to settle with the lady that he tried to humiliate and victimize? Did he act that way just to impress some non-Muslims present in the hall that he is a “civilized Muslim” and not “a fanatic”? These questions can only be answered by the violator of the Divine law and the Constitution of the nation. But the fact remains that he has advertised his ignorance in the glares of the public. Notwithstanding his possible intimidating academic CV, his barbaric attitude has reduced him to the lower position on the moral ladder.
The use of Hijab or even Niqab (which is not as compulsory as Hijab but highly recommended for Muslim ladies to maintain their decency), is not a hindrance to the attainment of academic excellence which is the legitimate concern of every teacher and lecturer. This can never be as long as wearing skimpy dresses does not hamper the intellectual capacity of the one putting it on. In both instances, the concerned ladies are only enjoying their freedom to wear what they are comfortable with. Yet, in the final analysis, the kind of treatment (respect or harassment) each gets from the members of the society will prove them right or wrong in their choice of appearance. It is an open secret that even miscreants will respect ladies in Hijab, whereas they will always be tempted to sexually harass half-nude ladies.
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Logically, just as the half-naked students are free to so dress on the campus, a lady who has voluntarily decided to wear Hijab or Niqab should also be free to so dress. After all, her chosen lifestyle cannot necessarily impede her academic performance. On the contrary, most of the best female graduates in our tertiary institutions are either Hijabites or Niqabites. Instances abound but two are especially noteworthy here. The first is a Medical graduate, Alabi Rashidah Adedoyin who received about 26 prizes at the University of Ilorin in 2017. As an eye witness, I can say that this feat was so extraordinary that whoever was not there could easily contend it. Fascinated by this extremely academic brilliance, Prof. Imafidon, the Convocation guest lecturer from oxford University had to award her with a scholarship to pursue her Postgraduate Studies in the UK. It is instructive to note here that the said guest lecturer is a Christian but this did not dissuade him from appreciating the intellectual excellence of the young Muslim lady. Of course, if the lecturer was based in Nigeria, he might have been infected by the virus of religious intolerance so much that he could just limit his appreciation of the brilliant medical graduate to a mere standing ovation and some artificial smiles.
The second case is about Amasa Firdaous who was insulted and prevented from joining her colleagues for Call to Bar Ceremony, just because she wore Hijab. For standing her ground, she has become the beautiful icon for freedom to wear Hijab in the tertiary institutions. That she covers her head does not mean her brain is tied. That is why she was eligible to be called to bar. As a matter of fact, a few years later, she went on to bag an LLM at the prestigeous International Islamic University Malaysia with flying colors and she is presently bracing up for her Ph.D.
No doubt, Hijabophobia is a sign of intellectual deficit and lack of exposure. In the West which is a bastion of modern education, female students enjoy the freedom to wear Hijab. But it is a different ball game here where some people are crying louder than the bereaved. If it is happening in faith-based Universities, there may be little or nothing that one can say. But for it to happen in a public university like LAUTECH, it is a big issue of violation of freedom to express one’s religious identity.
Finally, the barrage of condemnations that the ugly incident at LAUTECH elicited is not unexpected. For people naturally sympathize with the victims. Though the Professor aimed at humiliating the young lady, he has succeeded in soiling his reputation. I cannot imagine how psychologically down he will be now as he has since been bombarded with phone calls which he does not return. In the Yoruba parlance, he has used his bare hands to fetch burning charcoals! So, I expect the Don to openly apologize to the young lady. I hope this would atone for his misdemeanor. But if he remains adamant, he should be ready to endure stigma wherever he may be. Of course, nobody should attack him physically as this is also wrong. More so, his conscience is readily primed for constant attacks on his heart. That is if he has an active conscience!
Dr. AbdulHameed Badmas Yusuf
Dept. of Religions (Islamic Studies Unit),
University of Ilorin
19/ November/ 2021
