Dont Enforce Court Ruling on Hijab, Muslims Ask Gov Fashola

Over 20 Muslim groups under the aegis of the Joint Muslim Forum, on Thursday, urged Governor Babatunde Fashola not to enforce the ruling of a High Court which upheld the ban on the wearing of hijab (Muslim head scarf) in public primary and secondary schools in Lagos State.






The JMF maintained that the judge, Justice Modupe Onyeabor, erred by stating in her ruling that Nigeria’s secular nature by Section 10 of the constitution must be preserved.

The group maintained that prohibiting the wearing of hijab was prejudicial.

They, therefore, advised Fashola not to enforce the ban on hijab.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Alhaji Thabit Sonaike, said if the state refused to heed the group’s demands, it would ask all Muslims across the state to shun next year’s governorship elections.

Sonaike said Muslims in Lagos would only vote for a political party that was sympathetic to their cause.

He said it was unfortunate that Fashola, who is a Muslim, was in support of the ban on hijab in schools while former Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State approved the wearing of hijab in public schools.

He said, “The Lagos State Government must explain to Nigerians why the hijab is acceptable on school uniforms in the whole of the northern Nigeria and in Ekiti, Oyo and Osun states but it is an anathema in Lagos. How many constitutions do we operate in Nigeria?

“Lagos has simply become the epicentre of religious stigmatisation against Muslims. One must ask, how long will the fragile peace last? Lagos may be sitting on a keg of gunpowder.

“Having been pushed to the wall, the Muslims in Lagos have no alternative than to use what they have to get what they want. Election fever has gripped politicians as we draw near February 2014. We have resolved to give our votes to any candidate from any political party that is ready to grant us religious freedom.

“We will vote for those who will approve the use of hijab in schools no matter their political affiliation. Our slogan for Lagos in 2015 is: No hijab, no vote.”

The group described calls for a Christian governor as ‘nonsensical’, adding that it promotes mediocrity.

The group said it was unfair for the state government to decorate the roads during Christian festivals while giving Muslim festivals little prominence.

The Muslims said the state government should establish Sharia courts in the state and also declare Fridays as “half day of work and school”.

NigerianEye