The Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC) has lauded the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for approving the use of hijab on school uniforms for female Muslim students in all federal government-owned colleges.
In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Alhaji Kamaldeen Akintunde (Esq), the Council noted that the move was appropriate and compatible with the provision and spirit of the country’s constitution.
Recall that the federal government through the Ministry of Education had on February 1st, 2023 issued a circular allowing use of hijab for female students.
The circular, with the no FME/DSSE/US/UNIFORM/1 was sent to principals of all the 112 Federal Unity Colleges and Federal Science and Technical Colleges of the country.
Signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Education Ministry, Andrew David Adejo, the circular read, “This is to bring to your notice that the Ministry has approved the use of corporate/cape size hijab as part of school uniform by female Muslim students in all the Federal Unity Colleges and Federal Science and Technical Colleges.”
David Adejo explained that students of the two schools can use corporate/cape size hijab on any of the approved school uniforms.
Muslim News findings revealed that unity schools are situated at different locations across the six geopolitical zones of the country. In the southwest where assault on female students using hijab is on the rise, we have Federal Government College, Odogbolu; Federal Government College, Ogbomoso; Federal Government College, Ikirun; Kings and Queens College, Lagos; among others.
In its reaction, Ogun State Muslim Council noted that the government paper could not have been otherwise if the recent Supreme Court verdict on hijab is anything to go by.
The Council remarked that the circular underscores the FG’s stance on free practice of faith, just as it estimated it to be timely, which will go a long way to check the hullabaloo which the female Muslim head cover had generated in some states, especially between Muslim and Christian communities and groups.
The Secretary-General of OMC, however, counselled officials implementing the circular and stakeholders against being overzealous by not making the adorning of the head cover compulsory under whatever guise, as stated in the said circular.
…Implores Ogun State education ministry to follow suit
Meanwhile, the state’s Muslim council has implored the Ogun Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to emulate and adapt the etiquette of the Federal Ministry of Education by issuing a similar circular, in line with the religious freedom posture of the present administration and in tandem with conventional and best practices.
“As it is often said that ‘government business is done in writing’, it behoves the administration to eschew sentiments and do what is right and within the framework of the Country’s legal book,” he noted.
According to OMC, circulars are administrative guidelines for implementation of government policies, and to empower officials implementing the policies to do the right thing, correctly and promptly, and within the context and content of such government paper.
The Ogun Muslim Council opined that the present administration in Ogun State is not averse to female Muslim students adorning white cape (size) hijab on their uniforms and therefore urged the State Chief Executive to direct the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to issue a circular, formalising the use of hijab by female Muslim students willing to do so in the state.
OMC noted that government is a continuum and therefore, such circular being canvassed will address the issue permanently and stop the unnecessary dust it generates among stakeholders and faith groups any time hijab-using students are molested by authorities.
Meanwhile, the OMC has called on the Muslim and Christian leadership and followership and those of other faiths to co-exist and tolerate one another in the spirit of citizenry and for the collective task of nation building. It reminded them of the ongoing democratisation and the census, geared towards nation building, charging them to be patriotic by ensuring constructive and meaningful participation that will engender an overall development of the country.
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