The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), on Monday, issued a 7-day ultimatum to the management of the Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta (FUNAAB), the Ogun State capital, to reverse its ban on the use of hijab and niqab by female Muslim students on campus.
MURIC described the action as ‘sentimental’ and against the provisions of the Constitution which accommodate the coexistence of different religions in the country.
MURIC alleged that a female Muslim student of the school was asked to remove her veil by some security personnel before she could be allowed to enter the school.
READ ALSO: http://2021 Police recruitment exercise begins
This, according to the Islamic group, was a display of hate and an effort by the institution to profile innocent Muslim female students on campus.
It, however, gave the management seven days to change its position or risk a democratic action by the Muslim students on campus.
MURIC Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, said in a statement that, “No institution of learning, from primary to tertiary, whether federal, state, or even private, has the right to prohibit the use of hijab or niqab.
“It is a contravention of the provisions of Section 38(i) & (ii) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended which says inter alia:
“‘Every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom (either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance.”
Prof. Akintola reminded the institution that Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Right, (ICCPR) guarantees the right to freedom of religion unconditionally.
READ ALSO: http://Ogun Customary Court of Appeal President advocates adherence to Code of Conduct
He also said that Article 9 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights & Fundamental Freedoms contains a right to have ‘respect for the religious feelings of believers…’ But FUNAAB authorities have no respect for the religious feelings of Muslims. This must stop!
He continued, “The problem with some non-Muslim heads of educational institutions and public offices in the South-West is that they wrongly assume that they can compel Muslims under them to abide by their own non-Muslim way of dressing. They, therefore, go all out to enact rules and regulations which disallow Muslims from dressing like Muslims. This presupposes that they hate the sight of Muslims.
“We affirm that any rules and regulations which contradict the letter and spirit of the constitution are illegal, unlawful, illegitimate and unconstitutional. This is the import of Chapter 1, Part 1, Section 1(1) & (3) of the Constitution which stipulates.
“‘This Constitution is supreme and its provisions shall have binding force on all authorities and persons throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria.’ In particular, Section 1(3) says, ‘If any other law is inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution, this Constitution shall prevail, and that other law shall to the extent of the inconsistency be void.’
Thye MURIC Director also said that all anti-niqab pronouncements, memos, circulars, posters, etc., issued by FUNAAB were null, void and of no legal effect whatsoever. The same goes for all such declarations and actions in other academic institutions throughout Yorubaland.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: http://Ethnos IT Security Solutions marks 10-yrs of offering cybersecurity solutions in Nigeria
He continued, “We are not unaware of the security implications of the use of niqab and hijab, particularly in these days of general insecurity and we are going to be pragmatic in our approach to this danger.
“There is the assumption that the dresses may aid shoplifting in campus bookshops or libraries. Weapons may also be hidden under such clothing.
The MURIC also said that FUNAAB must also withdraw the ban placed on niqab within seven days or Muslim students in the institution will embark on peaceful demonstration as from Monday, 6 December 2021. FUNAAB is advised not to test our will or that of the Muslim students.