TV Presenter and one of the beautiful faces on the popular daytime show “Your View”, Nymat Akashat-Zibiri says it’s high time perpetrators of assault on Muslim women wearing hijab were brought to book, saying making them face the full wrath of the law will serve as deterrent to others.
Akashat-Zibiri said this while speaking on “The way to end the incessant molestations and denials of Muslim women’s right to use hijab in government-owned schools”.
Muslim News findings revealed that there have been unreported cases of persecutions of school girls who choose to wear the hijab in some southwestern states, many of whom haven’t been prosecuted.
She said, “It is sad that most perpetrators of abuse against the hijab are not brought to book, especially in schools and government institutions. I don’t know why government would guarantee rights and protect the abusers of those entitled to those rights. I think it is lack of security on the part of government to say with one side of their mouth and fail to protect those they say they are protecting.
“I hope the advocacy continues and we get the desired result whereby hijabis’ rights are guaranteed and enforced.
Enforcement is mostly important because I believe that with continuous enforcement and making example of others, we would get the desired results and people would learn to respect others”.
Speaking further, the eloquent TV presenter said, “Look at the country today, a lot of rights are being abused. Government itself does not obey the Rule of Law and court orders, but we will continue to do things peacefully and in the right order. We hope the time will come when the government will eventually enforce the law on the abusers of this right.”
Akashat-Zibiri, who emerged among the 30 Nigerian Muslim Women of Substance in the February 2022 edition of Muslim News tabloid called on hijab advocates and the guardians of hijab victims to be civil and approach the court, stressing that the move will ensure the right to wear the hijab is continuously guaranteed.
According to her, “People should not resort to any other means to enforce the judgements that are already available at our disposal. I don’t believe in any other means than the court. I also wish the law enforcement agencies enforce the law on the offenders, regardless of who’s in power. Sadly, we’ve been under a government with a Muslim in power for eight years and yet, we are not getting anywhere with the enforcement of the rights.
“I’m hoping that the continuous enforcement of the law against the abusers of hijab will yield the result of total acceptance and equal rights for everyone.
“The way forward is continuous advocacy and enlightenment. World Hijab Day is one of such opportunities through which we show other people who have never worn the hijab to show them the beauty of it, with the safety, calmness and tranquility Muslim women enjoy in it. So, continuous advocacy and enlightenment is a sure way forward,” she noted.
The 2022 World Hijab Day was held globally on Tuesday, February 1st and no fewer than 20 Muslim Organisations in Nigeria formed a coalition to demand for the rights of Muslim ladies to adorn the hijab.
Nigeria joined no fewer than 150 countries to commemorate the annual event. Consequently, Mrs Akashat-Zibiri and other brilliant ladies of ‘Your View’ on TVC have at some times dedicated the show to discuss hijab persecution, among other women-related issues.
This year, the Lagos State University Law graduate explained why she marked it on Wednesday, February 2, instead of Tuesday February 1.
She said, “while there was a mix up when I first heard about it, whichever day and month it is, I believe it is laudable. We have a day the right of the women to use the hijab is advocated and the ease and beauty of wearing the hijab is promoted. I hope it gets an international recognition. It’s ours, but I hope it gets an international acknowledgement across the world, especially countries where women still struggle to wear the hijab.”
Appreciation to MN
Akashat-Zibiri expressed her appreciation to Muslim News for the recognition of being among the 30 Nigerian Muslim Women of Substance from different professions, noting that, “It’s Allah’s will and not mine.”
She admitted that being an hijabite in Nigeria is something very tough, stressing that you are constantly reminded that you have to be unique among others.
“It’s sad to note that you have constitutional provisions protecting your right as an hijab-wearing woman, yet you still can’t enjoy such right. I hope that in future, Muslim women are able to wear their hijab and thrive easily among their peers. We are getting there as we have a lot of success stories. It’s not because they do not have their struggles. I’m hoping we get to a point where everyone with hijab is respected with her hijab and the rights guaranteed in the constitution are enforced for each hijabi”, she added.
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