TEXT
OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE ADDRESSED BY THE JOINT MUSLIM FORUM (JMF) ON THE RULING
ON HIJAB AND THE DEMAND OF LAGOS CHRISTIANS FOR A CHRISTIAN GOVERNOR
HELD
AT THE RAHMAT ISLAMIYAH HALL, IKEJA, ON THURSDAY, 23RD OCTOBER, 2014
Distinguished
guests, leaders of Islamic organisations present, Brothers and Sisters in
Islam, Gentlemen of the press, As-Salaam Alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa
barakatuhu. I welcome you to this press briefing on behalf of the Joint
Muslim Forum (JMF). JMF is a Muslim, non-governmental and non-profit
organization with no political affiliations but serves as a platform for
several well-meaning and progressive Muslim Organizations in Lagos State.
You are all aware of
the agitation of Muslims in the South-West for their female children to be
allowed to use hijab in public schools. This is a yearning propelled by
religious obligation as the Qur’an commands all female Muslims to use hijab.
As part of the background, we must also remind you of the inhuman
treatments meted out to female Muslim students by Christian teachers over the
hijab saga. On February
5, 2013, an 11 year-old student, Aisha Alabi of Kadara Junior High
School, Ebute Metta, was given 43 lashes of the cane on the school’s assembly
ground for not removing her hijab after an Islamic Religious Knowledge class where
the veil is allowed. It is our contention that 43 lashes for an 11 year-old is
the height of inhumanity.
Another student, Bareerah Tajudeen of Mafoluku
Senior Grammar School, Oshodi, on February 20, last year, had her hijab removed
and trampled on by the school principal, Mrs. Elizabeth Omidele. This act of
religious apartheid occurred outside the school premises, not within the school
compound.
These are just two of several cases of
religious persecution which Christian teachers unleash on female Muslim
students in Lagos State. To add salt to injury, The Lagos State
Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, in a press conference
addressed on Tuesday, 14th May, 2013 placed a ban on the use of
hijab and head scarf by female Muslim pupils in public schools in Lagos State. She stated that Muslims who want
their children to use hijab should take their children to Muslim private
schools. This was a highly provocative pronouncement.
Instead of taking the law into their hands, the
Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) took the matter to court seeking to
vacate the ban placed on hijab by the state government.
Justice Modupe
Onyeabor, in a suit
filed against the government, by the MSSN, Lagos State
Area Unit, through
their lawyer, Chief Gani Adetola-Kazeem (SAN), held that the ban was not discriminatory. The judge held that Nigeria’s ‘secular’ nature
as provided by Section 10 of the Constitution must be preserved by the
government.
With this
pronouncements, Justice Onyeabor has simply demonstrated to all and sundry that
the tragedy of the Nigerian judiciary lies in the runaway nature of justice in
Nigeria. This is a travesty of justice. This judge has ruled against natural
law. Nigeria is not a secular state but a multi-religious one and no section of
the constitution declares Nigeria as a secular state. In fact the word
‘secular’ is not in our constitution.
How can
our case be dismissed when there are precedents? It is on record that the High
Court of Lagos State relied on sections 38 and 42 of the Constitution in Suit
No ID/424M/2004 – Fatimoh Abidemi Rasak
& 3Ors Vs Commissioner for Health, Lagos State & 2Ors to shoot down
and declare unconstitutional a circular issued by the Lagos State School of
Health Technology banning the students from wearing hijab.
Again in the Court of Appeal in
Ilorin in the case of "The Provost, Kwara State College of Education,
Ilorin Vs Bashirat Saliu in suit number CA/IL/49/2009 ruled that "the use
of veil by female Muslims qualifies as a fundamental right under section 38 of
the constitution".
The ruling
on the MSSN Hijab case is therefore illogical, inexplicable and a total
miscarriage of justice. The learned judge erred by averring that hijab creates
a sense of inferiority in those who do not use it. It is laughable. How can
the hijab used by a Muslim student give others inferiority complex? Should
those who want hijab therefore remain perpetually under oppression and lack of
religious freedom?
JMF has
posers for the Lagos State Government (LASG) on the hijab affair. Why is it
that on one hand the state claims to promote girl-child education and on the
other hand openly discriminates against female Muslim students whose crime is
the wearing of hijab to school? Is LASG aware that even in UK, US and other Western
countries (except France) where Muslims are in the minority, the female Muslim
students in public schools are allowed to wear hijab?
Is
LASG aware that Ekiti State by circular No. EK/SSG/01/375 of 12th
December, 2013 has permitted female Muslim pupils in public schools to use
hijab? Governor Kayode Fayemi is a
Christian and Muslims constitute only about 40% of the state’s population.
Lagos has a Muslim governor. Lagos has a preponderant Muslim population and
Muslims in the state have been asking Lagos government to approve hijab for
female Muslim children for years. This is the paradox called LASG! Or is Ekiti
part of Saudi Arabia?
LASG
must explain to Nigerians why hijab is acceptable on school uniforms in the
whole of Northern Nigeria, Ekiti, Oyo and Osun states but it is an anathema in
Lagos. How many constitutions do we operate in Nigeria? Lagos has
simply become the epicentre of religious stigmatisation against Muslims. One
must ask for how long will the fragile peace last? Lagos may be sitting on a
keg of gunpowder.
Hijab is a religious duty for Muslim
women and failure to use it is a sin against Allah. Any employer who
stigmatizes or victimizes a Muslim woman on account of her wearing hijab has
also violated her Allah-given fundamental human right.
Victimization
of a Muslim woman for using hijab constitutes a breach of Section 38 (i) &
(ii) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution. The African Union Charter on Human and
Peoples’ Rights proclaims in Article 4, Clause 1 & 2 that “Human beings are
inviolable. Every human being shall be entitled to respect for his life and the
integrity of his person.” Nigeria is a signatory to this charter.
The
provisions of Article 18 of the United Nations Charter and Articles 9 and 14 of
the European Treaty of Human Rights and Articles 18 and 19 of the Treaty of
Civil and Political Rights also criminalise religious profiling.
What the Muslims are
demanding in the issue of hijab is their Allah-given fundamental human right. They are not asking
anyone to put hijab on Christian pupils. They want to dress the way the Qur’an
commands them. Freedom of religion is one of the civil liberties enjoyed in a
civilized society. Lagos should not deny this religious right. Hijab is used on
school uniform in Britain and Ireland. Female Muslim police use hijab on their
uniform. That is true liberalism and advanced democracy.
It is
stigma for anyone to hate the sight of Muslims or to claim that the sight of
Muslim pupils in hijab is capable of causing religious crisis. The fact of the matter is that the current uniform used in schools is
Christian uniform imposed on Nigerians by Christian colonial masters. It suits
Christian culture and that is why Christians are not complaining. But it
constitutes a violent assault on the psyche of true and practicing Muslims.
That is why Muslims are complaining. But will LASG want to be seen as imposing
Christian culture on Muslims and denying the latter of their well-deserved
dividend of democracy?
We are
aware of secret agreements between Christian leaders and certain foreign
powers. They have pledged to enforce Christian culture on Muslim children
through education. They also vowed never to allow any Islamic landmark in the
Nigerian society but to vigorously sustain Christian values and to force same
on Muslim children so that Islam may eventually be eliminated in Nigeria.
JMF seeks to know the true democrats. Where
does LASG stand? On the side of religious freedom or on the side of the oppressors?
It is unfortunate that by its actions and utterances, LASG has not only
willingly become a tool in the hands of the villains, but it has become an
active participant in the brutal assault on the liberty of Muslims in Lagos
State.
We call the
attention of the judiciary and indeed other stakeholders to the fact that so
many states in Nigeria allow the use of Hijab in public schools and this has
not been known or reported to destroy uniformity sought by government in the
issuance of dress code. We wonder how Lagos State’s case is different.
We call on the state government to voluntarily
ignore the judgement and uphold the right of female Muslim students by issuing
directive to school heads and principals to allow use of hijab to students who
subscribe to its use. In this way the
government would have shown that it is father to all and does not alienate any
section of the community. This step does not in any way offend the so-called
Nigeria’s secular nature as provided for in Section 10 of the Constitution.
We hasten
to remind the government that the judgement if implemented is capable of
creating avoidable tension and crisis and thereby destroy the peaceful
co-existence and religious tolerance which the state currently enjoys. We are
not in doubt whatsoever that some overzealous teachers, school heads and
principals will take full advantage of the judgement to taunt and victimise
female Muslim students as witnessed in the recent past.
SLOGAN FOR
LAGOS 2015: ‘NO HIJAB, NO VOTE’:
Having been pushed to the wall, the Muslims of
Lagos State have no alternative than to use what they have to get what they
want. Election fever has gripped politicians as we draw near February 2015. We have resolved to give our votes
to any candidate from any political party who is ready to grant us religious
freedom. We will vote for those who will approve the use of hijab in schools no
matter what their political affiliation. This suffering is too much. LASG
treats Muslims with disdain. Enough is enough. Our slogan for LAGOS 2015 is
therefore: NO HIJAB, NO VOTE!
THE CALL
FOR A CHRISTIAN GOVERNOR IN LAGOS:
It is no
longer news that a selfish and misguided section of our Christian brothers have
called for a Christian Governor in Lagos State come 2015. The overwhelming
majority of Lagosians and well meaning citizens have rejected this divisive and
parochial call noting that it is an undemocratic and disgraceful desperation
for power which raises questions about the motive behind such call.
We at JMF reiterate our total rejection of such
campaign and call on Lagosians to reject any
candidate that emerges (from any of the political parties) on account of
subterranean or disguised religious sponsorship. We enjoin Lagosians once again
not to allow mediocrity and religious sentiment to becloud their sense of
reasoning in the choice of the candidate they will elect to govern the state.
What should
be uppermost in the mind of all is the development of the state and the welfare
and security of all Lagosians. Merit and
demonstrated capacity to govern must be the criteria to determine the next
governor of the state. Lagos is a peaceful state with religious harmony. Lagosians
should be weary and distant themselves from selfish pseudo politicians (in
religious guise) who want to create hatred and disaffection among them through
religious sentiment. We condemn this backward and retrogressive approach to
political power and call on the people to be vigilant.
We also
want to alert Lagosians that in spite of this condemnation by well meaning
citizens of Lagos State, the proponents of a Christian Governor did not desist.
They appear bent on creating religious crisis and disharmony in the state. They
have carried their campaign to the major political parties and have “anointed”
candidates for the parties. We call on all party supporters and Lagosians in
general to be vigilant. We ask them to reject any candidate foisted on them on the
basis of religious sentiment irrespective of political party platform.
We also
alert unsuspecting Lagosians that the antics of these self seeking religious
bigots and individuals are not limited to the political parties and religious
platforms but include traditional rulers’ platform, the social media, bogus
skill acquisition, employment /empowerment deceit, financial inducement
otherwise known as stomach infrastructure, “free” medical check up and
treatment, and all kinds of tactics. Beware and be warned.
It is also
very sad and unfortunate that some of our Muslim brothers and we dare say
sisters have fallen prey to these antics and have started to position
themselves to take advantage of this retrogressive idea.
Let it be put on record that Lagos State Muslims did
not at any time nor in any forum accept the call for a Christian Governor not
to talk of endorsing or adopting any Muslim Candidate as Deputy Governor. We,
the Muslims of Lagos State dissociate ourselves completely from this
embarrassing, misleading and deceptive quest for “political power” through the
back door.
We remain
committed to democratic norms and principles in the election of governor for
Lagos State. Our stand is that candidates should emerge on the basis of merit
and demonstrated capacity and capability to move Lagos State forward and
consolidate on the existing level of development. We are for the steady development, security,
peace and welfare of Lagosians irrespective of the religious affiliation of
governorship election candidates. We will educate our people and all Lagosians
and pitch our tent behind any candidate from any party or from any religion who
emerges to contest governorship election in the State on the basis of merit and
not because he or she was anointed or sponsored on religious affinity or
God-fatherism.
As a matter of fact we Muslims in Lagos State are
the ones who truly deserve to call for a True Muslim Governor. It is on record
that the so-called Muslim Governors that have governed the state since 1999
have never supported any Muslim cause. On the contrary, Muslims have suffered
discrimination both in terms of actions and policies of the state. There is no
single policy of the state that has favoured the Muslims or put Muslims in any
advantage beyond other non-Muslims. The list of such anti-Islam policies and
actions are endless with the education of our children being the most adversely
affected.
As we speak
today, none of the six Tutors General in the state is a Muslim despite the
gentleman agreement to balance such appointments at the commencement of the
policy. Same is true of most other appointments in spite of the fact that
qualified and deserving Muslims are available in large numbers. Furthermore and in spite of international
best practices which allows the use of hijab, female Muslims in the state are
asked to remove their hijab in ‘documentation’ offices
where their pictures are required. Failure to do so could jeopardise their
access to statutory rights.
We use the
opportunity of this press conference to call on Governor Babatunde Raji
Fashola, SAN and his government to promote religious harmony in the state and
reverse the discriminatory policies of his government against the Muslims who
have given him and his administration support and demonstrated goodwill for
peaceful co-existence even in the face of blatant provocations. Specifically,
we call on him to follow or even go beyond the example of Ekiti State by
enacting laws which forbid all forms of discriminations against Muslims in the
cause of upholding the tenets and practises of their religion.
Hijab must be allowed in schools and workplaces
including hospitals. Morning assembly prayers in schools must be standardised
and not left to the whims and caprices of the Head Teacher or Principal. Arabic
and Islamic Religious Knowledge teachers must be employed to teach the subjects
in schools. Muslim Science students should not be prevented from taking Islamic
Studies. Hijirah holiday must be declared just like Osun State. Coroner law must
be amended to allow Muslims to claim their corpses for burial without delay. Cremation
of corpses must stop.
Shariah
division must be created in the judiciary for Muslims who wish to opt for Shariah
legal system. Political appointments and promotions should be fair and
balanced, state sponsored decoration of streets and highways in preparation for
Christmas including Countdown to the Gregorian New Year Day must either stop or
extended to Muslim festivals as well, and Friday must be declared as HALF WORK and HALF SCHOOL day
to enable Muslims attend Jumat service with their family. In short we call on
the government to establish parity.
We also
restate that the JMF is non- political, and not for profit organisation. We are not terrorists. We are not
arsonists. We promote peace. We abhor violence. We despise terrorism and
aggression. Our methodology is Dialogue and Prayer. Our permanent INTEREST is freedom
of worship and justice for all.
For the
avoidance of doubt, our purpose here today is not to reiterate the
marginalisation and discrimination against Muslims in the state per se, but to
call on all and sundry to dissociate themselves and reject any governorship
candidate that may emerge from any of the political parties on the basis of religion
or anointed sponsorship. Let candidates put themselves forward and freely
canvass for support without any form of religious interference.
I thank you
for honouring our invitation. Allah Bless You All.
NOTE:
The text of
the press conference was signed by about 28 Islamic organisations including The
Companion, Movement for Islamic Cultural Awareness (MICA), Muslim Students
Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), National Council of
Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO), The Criterion, Muslim Welfare Fund
(MUWELF), etc. The text was read at the event by Alhaji Wale Sonaike, Acting
Chairman of JMF.
The
occasion was well attended and the venue, Rahmatu Islamiyyah Hall, was filled
beyond capacity as many people stood outside.
