By KEMI KASUMU
The news of Federal Government of Nigeria’s implementation of use of Hijab by female Muslim students across the nation’s 112 Federal Unity Colleges and Federal Science and Technical Colleges has excited the Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC).
A major component in the struggle against hate and intolerance that for many years saw female Muslim students especially in South West Nigeria deprived their fundament rights to education and religious practice, the Ummat-ul-Muslimeen in Ogun State lauded the Federal Ministry of Education for the implementation of Hijab and urged Ogun State Government to follow suit.
The Muslim Council noted the Circular No “FME/DSSE/US/UNIFORM/1 of 1st February, 2023”, which announced the Federal Government’s approval of Hijab, to be appropriate and compatible with the provision and spirit of the country’s Constitution.
Essentially, in a press statement issued in Abeokuta, signed by Alhaji Kamaldeen Akintunde (Esq), Secretary-General of the Ogun State Muslim Council and copy of which was sent to The DEFENDER Tuesday night, it was noted that “the government paper could not have been otherwise if the recent Supreme Court verdict on hijab is anything to go by”.
According to Alhaji Akintunde, “The Council noted that the Circular underscores FG’s stance on free practice of faith, just as it noted it to be timely as it will go a long way to checking the hullabaloo which the female Muslim head cover had generated in some states, especially between Muslim and Christian communities or groups.”
The OMC, however, counselled the officials implementing the circular and stakeholders against being overzealous by not making the adorning of the head cover compulsory under whatever guise, as stated in the said circular.
Meanwhile, the State Muslim Council has implored the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to emulate and follow the path of Federal Ministry of Education by issuing similar circular, “in line with the religious freedom posture of the present administration, and in tandem with conventional and best practices.”
Making inference, “As it is often said that “government business is done in writing”, it behoves the administration to eschew sentiments and do what it thinks is right, and within the framework of the Country’s legal book.”
According to OMC, “Circulars are administrative guidelines for implementation of government policies, and to empower Officials implementing the policies do the right thing, rightly and correctly, and within the context and content of such government paper.
“Ogun Muslim Council opined that the present administration in Ogun State is not averse to female Muslim students adorning white cape (size) hijab on their uniform and therefore urged the State Chief Executive to direct the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to issue Circular, formalising and/or endorsing the use of hijab by female Muslim students willing to do so in the state.
“OMC noted that government is a continuum and therefore, such Circular paper being canvassed will address the issue permanently and stop the unnecessary dust raising it generates among faith groups any time hijab using students are confronted by authorities.
“Meanwhile, OMC has called on the Muslim and Christian leadership and followership and those of other faiths to co-exist and tolerate themselves in the spirit of citizenry and for the collective task of nation building.
“It reminded them of the ongoing democratisation and the population count in Census, geared towards nation building, charging them to be patriotic by ensuring a constructive and meaningful participation that will engender an overall development of the country,” the statement said.
