The Muslim Community of Oyo state has said it will no longer tolerate the practice of denying Muslim students from using Hijab in government schools, which, according to the community, is become the order of the day in the state.
The Chairman of the organisation, Alhaji Kunle Sanni, stated this while speaking at a summit organised by the community theme “Unity of Muslims in Oyo state: An inevitable option” held at the University of Ibadan Central Mosque.
Speaking against the backdrop of cases of harassment of Muslim girls and women who wear hijab in basic schools, secondary and higher institutions of learning, Alhajj Kunle said the organisation will not hesitate to pursue the usage of hijab by willing female students in public schools with legal action.
He said, “With this persecution of our children in the so-called Christian schools where they even remove Hijab from their head, we are no more comfortable with the situation.
“What section 32:2 of the constitution says “is that a Muslim is entitled not only to freedom of religion but freedom to manifest his religion. The use of the Hijab is a manifestation of Islam”.
The Chairman noted that there was no state in which Muslim communities have lost the case of the use of Hijab because the constitution is clear about it.
“When my friend Christopher Alao-Akala was the Governor, some Muslim teachers started using Niqob in Kishi and they were dismissed, they went to Court. The Christian judge not only adjudicated that the teachers have right to put on their Niqab as their religious right, but she also said their three years backlog of salaries should be paid.”
“We would Insha Allah go back to Court because we want Hijab for all women in Oyo state”.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Host and Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta, Alhaji Daud Akinola said the love of one another among the Muslim Ummah was essential emphasising that the tenet of unity is love.
He explained that it has become imperative for Muslims to look inwards for the solution to the myriad of challenges facing the Ummah in Oyo State and beyond.
Chief Mustafa Bayo Oyero in his goodwill message, said unity is a paramount and veritable instrument to development which Muslims urgently need at the moment.
Chief Oyero who is the Chairman of Ibadan Muslim Community said, “What the chairman, Alhaji Kunle Sanni said was the experience of over 40 years which has not changed.
“Muslims in power used Islam to nurture their own political ambition and empower their own selves.”
He added that it was high time that the community put in place a developmental agenda to advance the cause of the Ummah.
In his lecture, Sheikh Habeebullah Buhari enjoined the Ummah to hold on to the rope of Allah and shun tendencies capable of igniting conflict among the Muslims.
He said, “If you truly want unity, avoid fighting each other. If you don’t listen to commandments, you will lose out. Patience is imperative as this will enhance harmony and development”
The Summit drew representatives from different parts of Oyo State who came to deliberate on the unity of the Ummah in the state.
