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”.
since when has the banning of hijab become a religious entrapment that freedom is being demanded?or are there any other ways in which muslims living in lagos have been oppressed? please stop causing unnecessary religious brohaha!!! Thank God fashola is also a muslim. talking about muslims being oppressed in lagos, please let them state the no of christian governors produced by lagos state and how many christians are actually in the seat of power in Alausa, please look for something else to complain about. the students can cover their hair with berets as it was before hijab came in.
ReplyDeletehold your votes!!! those that vote will be counted. irrelevant troubles by a group of trouble shooters!
ReplyDeleteNig secular nature indeed,if muslems where to complain every cross sign & bibles in our health institutns will be removed.the dressing cord is just like de mother of jesus own or cant they see the hanged pictures in there worshiping centers
DeleteMr speaker if you put fire on your roof top be assured that you too will be burnt, if you say that hijab is your problem then all other religious groups are free to come in their own wears too. My worry is that whether Muslim or Christain we like playing the victim in every issue. Religion has distroyed what it is meant to build, peace , progress and brotherly love. School is a place of learning not a religious gathering have that first in mind.
ReplyDeleteMost Muslims are morons. Mumu people with their mumu religion. They fight in everything, they fight for their mumu inanimate god.
ReplyDeleteThat is how extremism starts. They are now advocating for sharia courts and half day work on fridays. They want to turn Nigeria into a muslim country. It can never and will never happen. Nigeria will remain a country that is not affliated with a particular religion. This muslims can look for trouble too much.
ReplyDeleteAnon. 8:00 and Justice O. I completely agree with you. That is simply what we humans are. Imagine one tiny group claiming to speak for all muslims. Rubbish!
ReplyDeleteI'm proudly muslim and strongly support the use of hijabs. But trying to force it on a government which we are supposed to obey is uncalled for. So those who go white garment churches should be allowed to where their white & traditionalist can wear what they want?
Let's be objective. This is the least of our problems. It shouldn't even be a problem at all.
It's so unfortunate that we Nigerians, muslims AND christains alike, always look for ways to cause unnecessary tension. Then blame others. I went to secondary school in the north and religion didn't cause wahala. And this was just in the '90s. Not too long ago.
What has this country turned into?