The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit has urged government to explore all avenues to ensure the rights of Muslim children to use their hijab without restrain or conditions.
The Amir of MSSN in Lagos State, Dr. Saheed Ashafa, in a press statement said it was imperative for government to respect the status and rights of every girl child irrespective of their religious or ethnic affiliation.
He said, “We call on the government, stakeholders, all well meaning and sensible individuals to respect the status of every girl child irrespective of their religious or ethnic background.
“Since the theme for this year – Empower girls: Before, during and after conflict – acknowledges the power of the adolescent girl, we appreciate the nobility of every girl child with unequal admiration.
“We uphold the elevated status of womanhood as raised by the religion of Islam,” the statement read in part.”
Ashafa warned against all kinds of discrimination against the school girls in hijab, urging overzealous individuals to desist from such act with immediate alacrity before the full weight of the law is deployed on them.
“It has been observed that in recent times, some overzealous individuals have relegated the nigerian system of justice by harrassing, molesting and oppressing female students in their constitutionally granted hijab,” he added.
He, however, vowed that MSSN was ever ready to take legal means to address individual case as they come henceforth.
Ashafa said, “We are surprised to see acclaimed educated individuals acting in such a barbaric, nefarious and uncivilised manner against the extant court ruling which has re-echoed the positon of the nigerian constitution on hijab. Denial of a girl-child to wear hijab is a child abuse.
“We are aware that Lagos State government has not ordered anyone to tamper with the religious rights of any school child, hence individual case will be treated in the name of the culprit forthwith.”
Signed: Miftaudeen Raji (Assistant Public Relations Officer)
Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria,
Lagos State Area Unit
+238162447475
Twitter: @MSSNLagos
YouTube: MSSNLagos