By Niimah Ahmad/Ilorin
– Reacts to her inclusion in ’30 Nigerian Muslim Women of Substance’
The Human Rights Officer of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Barrister Fridaus Amasa has called on the National Assembly to expedite actions on the passing into law the religious discrimination prohibition bill currently on its floor in order to curtail the activities of perpetrators of assault on hijab and Muslim women across the country.
Barrister Amasa made the call on Tuesday, February 1st, 2021 during the World Hijab Day, a global event dedicated to create awareness about persecution of Muslim women who have chosen to wear hijab.
According to her, “In Nigeria, laws mean nothing to most Nigerians. The provisions of the constitution and numerous decided cases in favour of hijab are enough to serve as hindrance to overzealous officers, but reverse is the case.
The Nigerian Law School hijab hero described the World Hijab Day as a day for creating awareness on the use of hijab, especially for Nigerian hijabites who face harassment almost on a daily basis because they chose to obey the commandment of their Lord.
Amasa, who was shortlisted among the 30 Nigerian Muslim Women of Substance in different professions by this medium few days ago lamented that victimisation on hijab is yet to abate despite numerous decided cases in favour of Muslim women, hence, the need for continuous awareness and education about the importance of hijab.
She also reminded Muslim women that wearing the hijab is a great challenge that requires a lot of conviction and firmness.
“It’s a great challenge to be an hijabite in a country like Nigeria where, despite constitutional provision, Muslim women are still being victimised. It requires a lot of conviction and and firmness. May Allah continue to strengthen us all,” she added.
Amasa was among the “30 Nigerian Muslim Women of Substance” unveiled by this medium on the e-cover of its February, 2022 edition dedicated for the World Hijab Day.
Speaking, she said, “I feel honoured. It’s humbling to be listed amongst great Muslim women.”
Amasa, a graduate of Law from the University of Ilorin, was called to bar with her Hijab in 2018, seven months after she was first denied by the Nigerian Body of Benchers of the Nigerian Law School.
Muslim News findings revealed that her struggle has paved ways for other Muslim Law graduates to use the Hijab at the Nigerian Law school and call to bar without any harassment.
She recently returned to Nigeria after completing her Masters degree in Comparative Law (MCL) from the International Islamic University, Malaysia.
