A coalition of Islamic organisations in Nigeria has for the umpteenth time decried the discrimination and persecution of Muslim women and girls over the use of the hijab.
At a joint press conference in commemoration of the 2024 World Hijab Day (WHD) in Lagos yesterday, the coalition lamented that discrimination has persisted despite the Supreme Court judgment in favour of hijab use by Muslim women as their fundamental human right.
The coalition includes the Hijab Rights Advocacy Initiative, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Guild of Muslim Professionals, Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria, Nasrullahi Fathi Society (NASFAT), Pure Heart Islamic Foundation, Al-Muminaat Organisation Lagos, Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Lagos State Area unit, An Nujabau Female Forum, Izharul Haq Movement of Nigeria, and the Federation of Muslim Women’s Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Lagos.
WHD, which is marked on February 1, aims to raise awareness globally on the use of hijab by Muslim women.
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The Executive Director of Hijab Rights Advocacy Initiative, Hajia Mutiat Orolu, said “The right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion is guaranteed by the constitution, and laws regulating these matters recognise and permit the use of the hijab. Yet some public officers use their positions to infringe on the rights of Muslim women.”
Alhaja Suweibah Kupolati of NASFAT called on the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Ms. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, to ensure Muslim women are not asked “to compromise their religious beliefs or have their fundamental human rights infringed upon during their biometric process” as it is presently the case.
The Amirah of MSSN Lagos, Hajia Rafiah Tijani said, “The issue of registration and writing of examinations, such as WAEC, NECO, and JAMB, must be addressed to ensure that Muslim girls are not subjected to discrimination.
Law to protect Muslim women
Similarly, another group of Muslim women in Abuja has urged the National Assembly to enact laws that criminalise discrimination against the use of hijab in public.
Briefing newsmen yesterday, leaders of the group, Hajiya Firdausi Amasa and Hajiya Rukayyah Dindi, who spoke on behalf of others, said despite several efforts, those who wear the hijab still face discrimination in public places.
“In May 2023 at Olosan Police Station, Lagos, Muibat Animashaun, a hijab-wearing Muslim woman, was harassed and intimidated by police officers at the station.
“In November 2023, NYSC officials in some states in Nigeria continued to harass Muslim female corps members, who chose to wear the hijab,” she said.
The group, however, commended the Lagos State Fire Service for approving the use of hijab for Muslim women as part of their uniforms.
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