The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit, has called on the state government to issue within 30 days a circular that allows Muslim female students to wear hijab, following Supreme Court ruling.
Malam Miftahudeen Thanni, the President, MSSN, Lagos chapter made this call at a news conference on Wednesday, June 22, in Lagos.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Friday granted the use of hijab (Islamic veil) by female Muslim students in Lagos State Government-owned schools, delivering a judgment in an appeal – Lagos State Govt. and Mrs V. Asiyat AbdulKareem with suit number SC/910/16.
Read Also: Supreme Court Endorses Use Of Hijab In Lagos Schools
Congratulating the entire Muslim women and girl-child, Thanni said that the ruling had affirmed and restored their right to dress in accordance with their religious dictate after 10 years of legal battle, discrimination and resistance.
He noted;
Henceforth, we call on the government to sanction the indiscipline, unlawful and religious bigots among its teaching workforce.
The Lagos State Government should issue a circular within 30 days after the delivery of the judgement allowing Hijab.
We urge the Lagos State Government to sanction officials who go against the Supreme Court judgment.
According to him, the Lagos State Government should hold a meeting with MSSN Lagos, Muslim leaders and other Islamic organisations on the size and modalities of using the hijab.
He also called on other state governments to stop victimising Muslim students for using hijab after the judgement.
The president said;
We call on all Muslims to be lawful and report any violation to the appropriate quarters.
We are a peaceful community and we have respect for democratic values and the rule of law, but we will no longer allow our fundamental human rights to be tampered upon.
It’s utterly sad that we are experiencing too much of assaults and abuses on the Muslim female folks, because they are wearing hijab.
It portends a serious threat for our peaceful coexistence as a nation. This discrimination is too much, and it has to stop.
