Religious freedom under threat: MURIC condemns hijab denial in Kwara school

By Sadiq Abdulfatah

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Kwara State Chapter, has shown serious  interest over the recent incident at Federal Staff School, Adewole, Ilorin, where a Muslim female student was denied entry into the school premises over appearance in hijab which doesn’t violate any rule of the country.

A viral video circulating online shows the school’s security man and a female teacher preventing the student from entering the school because of the school’s so-called “code of conduct” which allegedly prohibits the wearing of hijab by female students.

This is discriminatory and it violates Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantees every Nigerian the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, including the freedom to manifest and propagate one’s faith in worship, teaching, practice, and observance. This constitutional provision has received several judicial blessings of our courts through judicial pronouncements up to the Supreme Court.

MURIC condemns the reoccurring disregard for constitutional rights and calls on the school management, and the Federal Ministry of Education to immediately investigate the incident and ensure that the affected student resumes her studies without further harassment or intimidation. And any of the school teacher found culpable should be appropriately dealt with. Ditto for any school official found culpable in this act of discrimination should be appropriately sanctioned in accordance with the law to serve as a deterrent to others.

We remind all stakeholders that the hijab is not a fashion accessory but a religious obligation for Muslim females, and its use in public institutions is a legitimate expression of faith protected under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). It is therefore unlawful for any public school or institution to impose a dress code or “code of conduct” that infringes upon or denies Muslim girls their right to practice their religion

Furthermore, we urge parents and guardians to promptly report any instance where their children or wards are harassed, discriminated against, or denied access to education on account of wearing the hijab, so that appropriate legal and administrative actions can be taken to safeguard their fundamental rights

MURIC reiterates its commitment to peaceful advocacy, dialogue, and legal engagement in defending the rights of Muslims across the States. We call on Muslim parents, civil society groups, and community leaders to remain calm while we take lawful steps to address this matter with the relevant authorities.

We urge the State Government and the Federal Ministry of Education to issue clear directives reaffirming the right of Muslim students to wear hijab in public schools and to ensure that such discriminatory practices are not repeated in any part of Kwara State.