A gathering of Muslim stakeholders took place in Lagos State on September 1, 2022, according to the Muslim Lawyers’ Association of Nigeria (MULAN) Lagos Branch. The Supreme Court’s decision in the case of the Lagos State Government & Ors (Appellants) v. Miss Asiyat Abdulkareem & Ors (Respondents) with Appeal No: SC/ 910 / 2016; which was decided on June 17, 2022, prompted the Association to convene the summit after learning of many incidences of blatant disobedience.

The ruling followed the Appeal the Lagos State Government filed against the Court of Appeal’s previous decision in Appeal No. CA/L/135/2015, which overturned the High Court of Lagos’ earlier ruling in Suit No. ID/151M/13 between the same parties.

Representatives from every Muslim organization in Lagos State were present at the summit, and notable speakers included Sina Sofola SAN, Professor F.A.R. Adeleke, Prof. Lakin Akintola of MURIC, Mr. Hassan Taiwo Fajimite, and Mrs. Mutiat Orolu-Balogun of the Hijab Rights Advocacy Initiative.

During its proceedings, the Summit displayed a sample of the Hijab that was on exhibited in the case and demanded uniformity in the Hijab’s style, which is a navel length Hijab as determined by the judgment.

PHOTO NEWS: Type Of Hijab Approved By The Supreme Court For Nigerian School Girls – Navel Length Hijab#hijab #lagos #Nigeria pic.twitter.com/6y9RrSuAoO

— The Muslim Voice, Nigeria (@muslimvoicenig1) September 4, 2022

The stakeholders summit communique, dated September 1, 2022 and signed by M. A. O. Kaka Esq., Chairman of MULAN Lagos State Branch, stated that after deliberations, the following decisions were made:

• The Summit condemned and frowned at the unfortunate fact that despite the clear and unambiguous judgment of the Supreme Court (the Apex Court) some unscrupulous and lawless persons are bent at continuing the abuse of the innocent Muslim girls and discriminating against them only because they have chosen to exercise their Fundamental Rights by adorning their hijab while on school uniforms.
• The Summit viewed these untoward acts described above as not only lawless but also contemptuous of the highest Judicial Authority in the land which the Apex Supreme Court represents.
• While condemning the distasteful disobedience of the rule of law as exemplified by the acts of those categories of persons described aforesaid the Summit calls on the Government of Lagos State to do the needful and ensure that its Agencies and Officers concerned comply with the judgment of the Apex court. The Summit has no doubt that the present Administration in Lagos State is a Law abiding one.
• The Summit further notes that it is apparent that some persons for whatever reasons are bent on provoking the Muslim Ummah in Lagos State with their continuous intimidation of Muslim girls using their Hijab and calls on the Government of Lagos State to forthwith take punitive measures against those lawless and disgruntled elements who seem hell bent to tarnish the good image and reputation of the Lagos State Government.
• The Summit also notes with great concern that despite the judgment of the Supreme Court, Some Officers of the Government of Lagos state have been hiding under the untenable excuse that there is no Official Circular from the State Government giving directives on the use of the hijab on school uniform.
• As a result of the above it is the position at the Summit that the Lagos State Government can be held complicit on this in view of the obvious fact that despite several calls by MULAN and other concerned Muslim bodies and persons on the Government of Lagos State to issue a Circular to that effect to deter its overzealous officers from continuing with theirs contemptuous acts the Government has turned deaf ears to the several calls till date thus emboldened its lawless officers to continue their unlawful acts unabated.

Additionally, the Summit further determined and call on the Lagos State Government to address the following issues, including:

• Come out openly and boldly in making a categorical statement acknowledging the judgment of the Supreme Court and demonstrate that Lagos State is for all, and a respecter of the Rule of law.
• Direct the authorities of the various primaries and secondary schools owned and managed by the State Government to allow without any inhibition whatsoever, all female Muslim students who desire to do so, to wear their hijab over their school uniforms.
• Ensure that no female Muslim student who has been wearing hijab in the past and/ or those who just desires to wear the Hijab over her school uniform in and out of school, whether during or outside school hours is victimised, oppressed and or subjected to any form of intimidation and / or discrimination whatsoever.
• Ensure that any teacher who violates the Judgment of the court is promptly disciplined by the appropriate authority of the State to avoid any embarrassment that may be caused to the Government functionaries who may be cited for contempt of Court for failing to comply or ensure compliance with the Orders of the highest Court in Nigeria
• Set up (if it is yet to do so) a committee to immediately look into the School dress code in Lagos State, and fashion out a model that will be non-discriminatory and will recognise in particular the rights of Muslim girls in public Primary and Secondary Schools in Lagos State which shall be in tandem with the minimum that has been exhibited in the case leading to the Supreme Court judgment.

“The Summit in conclusion expressed the commitment that the Muslim Community in Lagos State will remain ever ready to engage constructively, the representatives of the State government in fashioning out the modality on the implementation of the judgment before the resumption of the Schools for new academic session as henceforth it will no longer tolerate the abuse and discrimination of Muslim female students as was the case before the schools went on Vacation.”

“The Summit remains committed to the peaceful and harmonious co-existence in Lagos State and lend its voice in commending the laudable efforts and stride of the Lagos State in running the affairs of the State,” MULAN statement added.

Similarly, the Amir (President) of MSSLagos, Miftaudeen Thanni call on Governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to issue an official statement on the implementation of the court rules to avoid further discrimination and victimisation of Hijab-wearing Muslim students by the authority when schools resume next week.

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