Dr. AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef, a former commissioner for home affairs for the state of Lagos, has requested that the federal government issue an urgent warning to Prof. Olusola Babatunde, the university’s vice chancellor, and the administration of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) to stop harassing Muslim students who wear the niqab.
The call was made by Hon. Abdul Lateef, a well-known Islamic scholar, in a 5-minute video in response to the government-owned tertiary institution in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, banning the niqab (Muslim women’s veil).
On Monday, the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) branch protested over alleged bullying and victimization by the school management against students wearing Niqab.
So, FUNAAB Management wants Muslim Students to get approval to practice Islam. Dey Play!
Citing a previous incident where a student was denied access to the school due to wearing a niqab, despite a Supreme Court judgement affirming religious freedom, he criticised the university’s alleged intolerance and lack of proper understanding, The Nation Newspaper reports.
The Supreme Court, the Hijab Decision and the Secular State Theory
He said: “We must ensure there’s peaceful coexistence and harmonious relationship among all Nigerians. More than anything, we should tolerate one another, there’s a need to urgently call to order the FUNAAB Vice Chancellor on the high level of intolerance on students, who use niqab in the school.
“For crying out, after the Supreme Court judgement of June 17, 2022 on the freedom of the Muslim students to comply with the injunctions of their religion, Islam, on their right to express themselves in the way Allah has prescribed. We do not expect an institution that is expected to enlighten and educate the public to be exhibiting crass ignorance and a high level of intolerance of Muslim students. Why deny them? Section 38 of the constitution is very clear about the freedom of all Nigerians to express themselves. The Freedom of religion, thoughts and conscience, freedom to practice their religion either as individuals or in community with others to observe and propagate their religion.”
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The immediate past chairman of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) sressed that Nigeria is a multi-religious state, and tertiary institutions, as well as primary and secondary schools, should respect the diversity of beliefs among students.
AbdulLateef urged the university to implement proper measures, such as having female security operatives, to ensure the identification of individuals when the need arise.
He implored anyone associated with FUNAAB to intervene and ensure that the management refrains from victimising students based on their religious practices.
Similarly, he also expressed hope for blessings, harmonious relationships, and peaceful coexistence in the country while urging university authorities to allow Muslim students to freely practice their religion and protect their fundamental human rights.
The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta is one of the higher institutions of learning owned and run by the Federal government of Nigeria.
It was established as a specialised University on January 1, 1988 with a tripodal mandate of Teaching, Research and Extension Services.
