World Hijab Day: 15 Muslim bodies unite against Hijabophobia
A coalition of Muslim has said that discrimination and harassment against hijab-wearing female Muslims in all public institutions including schools, hospitals in any part of the country, will be met with stiffer actions.
The coalitions numbering sixteen met in Lagos recently, in commemoration of the World Hijab Day, said the discrimination against persons using hijab is a violation of their fundamental human right.
The leader of the Muslim coalition, said the government must ensure that the Muslim woman as enshrined in the constitution is respected by all government ministries and agencies to guarantee and respect their dignity of person.
She said school owners and principals in charge of external and internal examinations bodies and their officials compel Muslim girls to remove their hijab before their data can be captured. This, he said is against the principles of these examination bodies which allow the use of hijab.
“Despite the fact, the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) have stated clearly that hijab is allowed both for registration and writing exams, we still see that some school owners and principals still prevent our daughters. Even on the day of their all-important exams, they are singled out and forced to choose between their faith and writing their exams.
“Data capturing for biometrics is another hurdle Muslim women in hijab must cross. While the constitutional provisions support the wearing of the hijab and The Nigerian Biometrics Standard Regulations, 2017 (Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No.117 1st November, 2017 Vol. 104) as well as guidelines on Biometrics Standard published by the National Identity Management Commission states, “If an applicant wears a head covering for religious purposes (e.g hijabs) or on medical grounds (e.g eye patches), a photograph of the applicant wearing it will be accepted, provided all facial features from bottom of chin to top of forehead (including both edges of the applicants face) are clearly shown. Muslim women are still being forced to either bare their ears or remove their hijab completely when applying for international passports. The claim of the officials is that it is “an order from above” or a new regulation which we are not allowed to see or examine. Not minding the fact that such fictitious regulation will be rendered null and void and of no consequence whatsoever as it contradicts a constitutional provision”.
“Therefore, we Muslim women and well-meaning Nigerians urge the President of the Federal republic of Nigeria, Governors of States, the National Assembly, the Judiciary and all regulatory authorities to uphold the provision of the constitution and also other relevant laws to ensure that hijab-wearing Muslim women are not harassed and discriminated against.
“We urge all regulatory authorities to sensitize their staff and agents on the Rights of fellow citizens as guaranteed by the constitution to forestall further conflicts in the future.
