Muslim Public Affairs Centre, MPAC, has said it will engage all
lawful means to frustrate the decision of the Lagos State Ministry of
Education with respect to the recent ban on hijab, adding that it will
continue to actively work with other Islamic organizations and
stakeholders towards expanding the coalition to achieve reversal of the
ban in the quickest possible time.
In a similar vein, the Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, called the
attention of senior citizens in Lagos, men of goodwill, the Nigerian
security agencies, human rights organizations and the international
community to wade into the matter immediately.
MURIC in its statement said: “Muslims are peace-loving people. They
go their own ways until authorities push them to the wall. The
Allah-given and fundamental rights of Lagos Muslims are being flagrantly
denied today by the Lagos State government.”
“Muslims are civilized and cultured people. We issue no threats, but
let nobody make a mistake about our resolve to ensure that justice is
done. Already, MURIC has reported this hijab case to some international
and local human rights bodies so that the whole world will know what is
happening here.
Letters have been forwarded to Human Rights Watch, Amnesty
International, The Islamic Human Rights Commission, National Human
Rights Commission as well as the House of Representatives’ Committee on
Human Rights in Abuja. This is just the beginning. All available
legitimate options are on the table.”
MURIC however urged the Lagos State House of Assembly to re-open
dialogue on the demand of Muslims in the state on the use of hijab in
public schools; and to put in place a public hearing on the matter that
will be well publicised and attended by Islamic organizations. It also
demand for investigation and sanction against the principal of Kadara
High School who was reported to have caned Aishat Alabi, a JSS I student
for wearing hijab.
In a seperate statement signed by the chairman of MPAC, Disu Kamor,
the group expressed shock that the Lagos State Ministry of Education
will prevent students in public schools in the state from using the
hijab (the obligatory female Muslim head covering). The Commissioner
for Education Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye had said last week at a press
briefing in Ikeja that “usage of Hijab and other religious materials in
public schools was against government’s policy”.
According to MPAC; “it is in flagrant violation of the religious and
civic rights of the pupils. MPAC is shocked that rather than speak on
behalf of the Constitution she swore an oath to defend, Mrs. Oladunjoye
is taking the State in a course of confrontation and down the dead end
of religious intolerance.
The Lagos State government should have seen the use of hijab in
public schools in the state as an opportunity to reinforce common public
perception of Lagos State as a melting-pot and a good example where
diverse groups and ideas co-exist peacefully, thus upholding the
democratic ideals of inclusion and diversity.”
Reacting further, the association said this decision is capable of
bringing Muslims who desire to obey the Qur’anic injunction of adorning
the hijab in all public places into confrontation with the school
authority as the hijab will continue to be used in schools and
workplaces.
“One thing is certain, the decision of the Lagos State Ministry of
Education, although shocking, will not prevent the use of hijab in
public schools, or anywhere else. Rather it will strengthen the resolve
to fulfil aspiration to obey the divine injunction, at all costs.
Everyone who holds dear the values of freedom and equality that the
people of Nigeria have struggled so hard to establish over the years
should also find the decision shocking– to witness the Ministry
blatantly subscribing to this discriminatory policy and use of state
power as a means of implementing tyranny emphasises the need to deepen
our democracy through active political participation.”
MPAC however stated that it awaits the position of the State House of
Assembly on the issue just as it hopes that the lawmakers will show
honour and courage to act on the side of justice and fairness.
“Ultimately, it is the decision at the grassroots level for millions of
Muslim women to wear the Hijab in all public schools and places of work
which will prove official discriminatory policy not only unnecessary and
ignorant, but also simply unworkable. MPAC will intensify campaigns for
the rights of female Muslims to freely make their choices concerning
hijab and their rights to implement that decision without threat of
intimidation or persecution.
UNIFEMGA reacts
The Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates Association
(UNIFEMGA) has also condemned the ban on the use of hijab by Muslim
female students in all Lagos Public schools.
In a statement signed by its National President, Prof. Wahab Egbewole
and Abdur-Rahman Balogun, National Public Relations officer, said such
ban was a breach of the fundamental rights of the students to practice
their religion.
Oladunjoye rather claimed in her press briefing that wearing hijab would cause confusion and break down of the law.
UNIFEMGA argued that hijab is part religious obligation of a Muslim woman that cannot be detached from her work or studies.
“If the Lagos state Government, or the Ministry knows that the
affected students need to wear hijab when they go for prayers or read
Quran, why would it be restricted,” the group queried.
“It is unacceptable and laughable that wearing of hijab will create
confusion and break down of law as claimed by the commissioner during
her press conference.”
“We want to say categorically that even in advanced democracy, this
right is guaranteed to Muslim female students to dress in accordance
with their faith”.
As a Muslim alumni body, we have not heard of any state or public
schools where wearing of hijab causes confusion or led to break down of
law and order”.
“It is actually an affront on our faith system to equate hijab with
confusion or break down of law. It is also insulting to the collectivity
of our faith to say that Muslims should send their daughters to private
school if they want them to wear hijab,” the group stated.
Ask Your Imam: On 27th day of Rajab
Please Malam, do we have any prayer that we can do on 27th day of Rajab?
There is no clear cut prayer on the night of 27th day of Rajab, but
you cannot stop doing ibaadat. There are arguments on this issue but
the truth is that no one knows when the last will come and as a result,
use every night if possible in the month of Rajab to supplicate.
The night of 27th day of Rajab is considered as Laylat ul-Isra or the
Night of Ascension. This is the night when the Holy prophet was taken
up to the heavens to meet his Lord Allah Almighty. There is not
disagreement of scholars on this, but what they actually disagree on was
the kind or mode of prayer.
While some say 20 rakats between Maghrib and Ishai, some say no. But
since there is no laid down prayer on this night, and more importantly
because rendering of prayers have no limitation as far as spiritual
connection with Allah is concerned, my teacher taught me that you can
supplicate at any time, more especially during fasting (whether
obligatory or voluntary), you can say Istighfar as many times as
possible and say the following
dua.
Alh’amdu lillaahilladhi lam yattakhiz’ waladhan, wa lam yakunllahuu
Sharikun fil-Mulki, wa lam yakunllahuu waliyyun-minazh’ulli wa kabbiru
Takbiraa
Allaahumma innii as-aluka bi-ma-a’aqidi i’zzika a’alaa arkaani
a’rshika wa muntahar Rah’mati min kitabikaa, wa bismikal aa’-z’amil
aaz’zam wa d’ikrikal aa’-laa, wa bi-kalimatikat-Taammaatika, an
tu’salliya a’laa Muhammadin wa aalihii, Wa an taf-a’la bimaa anta
ahluh
Meaning: All praises belong to Allah, Who has not taken a son and
does not have a partner in the Dominion, nor does He have a helper out
of weakness; and magnify Him with a worthy magnification (Holy Qur’an
17:111). O Allah, I ask You by: the juncture of Your might over the
pillars of Your Throne, and the ultimate Mercy from Your book. And [I
ask You] by Your name – the great, the majestic, the splendid. And [I
ask You] by Your remembrance – the elevated, the sublime, the exalted;
and by Your complete and perfect words, that You bless Muhammad and his
family and do for me, what You are worthy of doing. Amin.
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