Lagosians hail ban on hijab Residents of Lagos State have expressed satisfaction with the judgement of an Ikeja High Court which upheld the ban of hijab in public primary and secondary schools. Those who spoke to our correspondent yesterday in a random survey, expressed support for the decision of the court and state government in respect of the ban. The state government had banned the use of hijab in public primary and secondary schools, on the argument that it was not part of approved uniform for pupils. Two twelve-year-old girls, under the aegis of the Muslim Students of Nigeria, MSN, Lagos State area unit, filed a petition at the state high court, seeking redress and asking for a declaration of the ban as a violation of their rights to freedom of thought, religion and education. However, the court held that the prohibition of the wearing of hijab over school uniforms within and outside the premises of public schools was not discriminatory, and does not violate the fundamental rights of the petitioners. In the random survey, some residents expressed shock over the lawsuit, saying public schools were meant for everybody, and as such, people should learn to tolerate one another. One of the respondents, Akeem Bewaji, said: “We should note that hijab, as envisaged by Islam, is meant for mature females as a rule. “To me, a 12-year-old pupil should not bother herself about that, except in a situation where her patents want her to start imbibing the habit from childhood. I feel that could be done after the school hours.” Another resident, Jude Ashi, said: “I am happy with the court’s judgement. Hijab has never been part of school uniforms, and so, all students, irrespective of their religious affiliations, must strictly adhere to the dress code.” Yet another resident, Adewale Abimbola, said she expected Nigerians, and Lagosians in particular, to have outgrown religious sentiments that could cause disaffection among the people. - National Mirror.
Posted on: Tue, 28 Oct 2014 08:17:21 +0000
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