22nd May, 2024
PRESS RELEASE:
MURIC HAILS HIJAB VICTORY IN IBADAN COURT
The State High Court
sitting at Challenge, Ibadan, yesterday delivered judgement in favour of MURIC
and Muslim parents in the case between the International School, Ibadan, Muslim
parents and the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).
In a swift reaction after
the judgement, MURIC described the court's pronouncement as profound, cerebral
and arcane.
This was contained in a
statement issued immediately after the judgement on Wednesday, 22nd May,
2024 by the Executive Director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
The full statement reads:
"History was made when
the State High Court 6 sitting at Challenge, Ibadan, yesterday delivered
judgement in favour of MURIC and Muslim parents in the case between the
International School, Ibadan Muslim parents and the Muslim Rights Concern
(MURIC).
"It will be recalled
that Muslim parents of the International School, Ibadan, led by Alhaji Abdul
Rahman Balogun, a veteran journalist, took the authorities of the school to
court when eight female Muslim students were sent out of the school for wearing
hijab in November 2018. The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) asked to be joined in
the case (https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/ssouth-west/298906-parents-sue-international-school-ibadan-over-hijab-controversy.html?tztc=1).
"The case dragged for
six years before the judgement, which was in favour of the Muslims, was
delivered yesterday, Wednesday, 22nd May, 2024.
"The court held that the refusal of International School, Ibadan, to
allow the female Muslim students to wear hijab on their school uniform is
wrongful, unconstitutional, null and void. The learned judge, Honourable
Justice M.O Ishola, insisted that the school is a multi-religious public
institution.
"This is a monumental
judgement coming from Ibadan, the heart of Yorubaland. It is a game changer. It
is our hope that our Christian neighbors, overzealous civil servants and recalcitrant
teachers will respect this judgement.
"In any case, MURIC
will not stand akimbo while Muslim children are subjected to illegal
instructions particularly those that encroach on their rights as Muslims. We
are fully prepared to amass incontestable evidence against anyone who molests Muslim
students. It is no longer business as usual for religious fanatics among school
teachers, conscienceless government officials and Muslim haters.
“It is a shame that the same people who claim to be civilized are neck-deep
in tramadolised religiousity that they make such a huge mountain out of
ordinary molehill just to get at Muslim children. Muslims in Britain, America
and Canada did not go to court before they could wear hijab in schools and
public places.
“But the so-called merchants
of ‘tolerance’ find it difficult to tolerate the Muslim headscarf unless the
Muslims go to court first to fight for their civil liberties. At long last,
victory has come to the Muslims. Triumph is sweetest when served cold. There is
no scintilla of doubt that the victory in this court judgement after a period
of six years has laid in the cold long enough.
“Where will the oppressors run to now, particularly since there is a favourable
Supreme Court pronouncement on hijab? If they run to the sea, the sea will be
boiling. If they run to the mountains, the mountains will be falling. Whither
runneth thou, oh Herod?
"MURIC salutes Muslim
parents of the International School for their doggedness. Their leader, Alhaji
Abdul Rahman Balogun, deserves a medal. The tenacity of our lawyers, Hasan
Fajimite and Yusuf Anikulapo won the legal onslaught. But above all, we doff
our hats to Honourable Justice M.O. Ishola for the depth of his research and
the fearlessness and fairness of his pronouncements.
“We certainly hail this judgement. It is profound, cerebral and arcane.”
#HijabJudgementIbadan
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Founder/Executive Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).
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