The Supreme Court’s decision last Friday to allow the wearing of the hijab in public schools has prompted the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit, to urge the Lagos State Government to publish a circular immediately.
Additionally, the group of Muslim students encouraged the State government to warn its officials against intimidating Muslim women who are wearing the hijab.
At a news conference on Wednesday in Lagos, the Amir (president), Miftahudeen Thanni, said that the circular’s release would prevent “overzealous” teachers and principals from engaging in contempt of court.
He declared, “This is not intended to criticize the Lagos State Government; rather, it is a request for the swift application of the Supreme Court’s ruling.
“We waited patiently to get the judgement and we were lawful throughout. During this period, we consulted, collaborated, protested, held rallies and sensitised government officials on why a willing Muslim female should be allowed to put on the hijab.”
The Supreme Court finally gave its approval to Muslim female students in Lagos State wearing the hijab to school on Friday, July 17, 2022, after almost 10 years of legal wrangling.
The Court of Appeal’s earlier ruling that allowed Muslim female students in Lagos State to once again wear the hijab was upheld by the majority decision.
Lagos State Government tried unsuccessfully to get the Court of Appeal’s ruling postponed from going into effect after receiving its disapproval of the verdict.
All public secondary school principals were given permission to allow students by a circular the Lagos State Government published in November 2018.
When the Lagos State Government issued the circular, we believed relief had finally arrived, however it is truly regrettable that some school administrators and some subpar instructors are working against the circular, according to Miftahudeen. Their ultimate goal is to undermine law and order.
“Instead of obeying the circular, some school principals, vice-principals and teachers feign ignorance of the approval of Hijab in Lagos State, and desperately began to deal with our members.
“For no reason should a girl-child be denied education again in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole!
“The images of Muslim students sent out of the examination hall for wearing hijab touch the heart and consistently bring tears to the eyes. We do not want this to recur. The education of the girl-child is very paramount in our hearts. No Muslim girl should ever be told to choose between her faith and education. Both are her rights.
“We demand that the Lagos State Government should issue a circular within 30 days after the delivery of the judgement allowing Hijab. The Lagos State Government should sanction officials who go against the Supreme Court judgment and hold a meeting with MSSNLagos, Muslim leaders and other Islamic organisations on the size and modalities of using the hijab.”
Muslim students are being victimized, Asiyat AbdulKareem, who filed a lawsuit against the Lagos State Government, argued.
The victimization that someone like me experienced will hopefully come to an end as a result of this judgment, she added. “We endured to get this judgment,” she said.
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