1st March, 2021
PRESS RELEASE:
MURIC LAUDS KWARA GOV FOR APPROVING
HIJAB
The Kwara State
Government officially approved the use of hijab in public schools and
grant-aided missionary schools in the state. This was announced on Thursday, 25th
February, 2021 by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mamma Sabah
Jibril. (https://dailypost.ng/2021/02/26/kwara-approves-use-of-hijab-in-schools/).
According to the
statement, the decision was reached by the state government after considering submissions of all major interest
groups, the education law of Kwara State, the prevailing court judgments and
current global trends of multiculturalism.
Meanwhile
the Nigerian Islamic human rights group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has
applauded the decision. In a statement captioned ‘MURIC lauds Kwara Gov For
Approving Hijab’, the organization described the decision of the state government
as bold, forthright and far-reaching.
The
Muslim rights advocacy group also advised Christian groups in the state to
accept the state government’s decision, respect the rule of law and eschew actions
capable of causing any breakdown of law and order. MURIC’s statement which was
issued on Monday, 1st March, 2021, was signed by its director,
Professor Ishaq Akintola.
The
statement reads:
“We
of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) welcome the decision of the Kwara State
Government to approve the use of hijab in all public schools. It is a step in
the right direction. This approval will cement the course of justice. It is
bold, forthright and far-reaching.
“In particular, we commend the State Governor,
AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for having the courage to call a spade a spade, for
standing up for the truth and for giving due recognition to the rule of law. Just
like in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice (1596), but without the malicious and
satirical twist of Shylock, this is, indeed, ‘a Daniel come to judgement, yea!
A Daniel!’ A wise governor, ‘how we do honour thee’.
“Nonetheless,
MURIC is appalled by the response of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)
Kwara Chapter to the state government’s statement. CAN argued that approval of
hijab in schools would ‘allow terrorists to easily identify our children and
wards’. How naïve and shallow! If the hijab can allow terrorists to identify
Christian children, does it also help in identifying Muslim boys? This line of
thinking is kindergarten, insipid, infantile and pedestrian.
“Equally egregious, audacious and despicable is the call by CAN on
Christians in the state to occupy schools. In the words of CAN, ‘Christ faithfuls should occupy all grant-aided
schools’. This can only be compared to the failed attempt by CAN Osun State
chapter to frustrate the decision of the state high court when the latter
approved the use of hijab in February 2014.
“In a most laughable, unwise and Bohemian
decision, CAN Osun chapter directed Christian children to wear masquerade and
church choir dresses to school! Of course they failed because although
Christian children obeyed CAN, the hocus pocus did not last since it was
abnormal. Female Muslim children continued using hijab with their school
uniform to date because it is their daily practice. For how long can anyone
continue wearing masquerade garb and church choir dresses around town?
“In like manner, we must ask CAN Kwara chapter,
for how long will you occupy grant-aided schools? What kind of example are you
giving your children when you know that such a step means confrontation with
the state government and rejection of the pronouncement of the courts? Are you
aware that you are inciting your followers to lawlessness? Are you aware that
you are encouraging your followers to disobey constituted authority contrary to
the teachings of the Bible?
“Whereas the
Bible says, ‘Render unto Ceasar what is Ceasar’s’ (Mark 12:17), CAN is
determined to engage in a wrestling match with Ceasar. Again in his letter to
the Romans, Paul the Apostle says, ‘Let everyone be in subjection to the
authorities’ (Romans 13:1), CAN Kwara chapter says, ‘Disobey the authorities’.
“Even
CAN sounds incoherent and uncoordinated in its response. The same CAN that
orders its followers to occupy grant-aided schools is the same group that
pledges interaction and dialogue, ‘We shall continue to interact and dialogue
with the State Government…’ It is the height of hypocrisy.
“This
CAN leadership is capable of anything. The state government must therefore be
on the lookout. CAN leadership in Kwara State may be planning to import
hoodlums into the state to implement its #occupygrantaidedschools agenda. The
same hired hooligans may unleash mayhem on the state when the planned
occupation fails.
“MURIC
advises other state governments in the South West to emulate Kwara and Osun
states by declaring the approval of hijab in public schools. It is the path of
honour. It is also the only way towards respecting the rule of law and
upholding the sanctity of the Nigerian Constitution.
“We advise CAN to accept the state government’s
decision in good faith, respect the rule of law and eschew actions capable of causing
any breakdown of law and order. We urge Muslims in the state to ignore all
forms of provocations and to remain calm and law abiding.”
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
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