The Management the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, FUNAAB, Ogun State, has promised to revisit the directive of the Senate which placed a ban on the use of Niqab – Muslim women face covering – within the campus.
The decision to review the ban followed an uproar on social media and protest across the board.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Amir of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, FUNAAB, AbdulMalik Olaiya on Monday, November 29.
Many Muslim Organisations, including the Muslim Right Concern, MURIC, the Taa’wun Muslim Right Group, Hijab Advocacy Initiative Coalition among others have protested the brazen violation of the Muslim ladies’ fundamental human rights.
In the same vein, the Muslim students took to social media to protest the ban, which they said violates the right of Muslim ladies’ Freedom of Expression, insisting that Niqab is part of Muslim women dress code.
In the statement, a copy of which was received by Muslim News, Amir Olaiya said, “Earlier today, a meeting was held between the University Management, the leadership of the Muslim community, and the leadership of MSSN FUNAAB on conversations that border around the uprising on the issue of Niqab.
“At the meeting, the leadership of the Muslim community alongside the leadership of MSSN FUNAAB unanimously expressed our standpoint that “the use of Niqab is part of Islam and a fundamental human right for anyone who chooses to tow the path of using the Niqab”, he stated.
The Amir said at the end of the meeting, the Management assured that the directive of the Senate which placed a ban on the use of Niqab in the University shall be revisited.
He said, “The University Management unequivocally absolved itself from the issue of the (Niqab ban) signpost that resurfaced and immediately issued an order to investigate the resurfacing of the signpost.
“The University Management assured that no student will be victimized nor have any of their rights violated on the accounts of expression of religion”.
Olaiya therefore implored his members and the general public to remain ever peaceful and continue to repose their trust in the leadership of MSSN FUNAAB, and the FUNAAB Muslim Community in their quest for the right of the Muslim women.
