Every time, we complain about marginalisation and victimisation, whereas our problems are self-inflicted. We neglect the basic teachings of Islam at the base level, and when the consequences are upon us, we start whining and crying all over the place.
Take the Hijab issue for instance. There are loads of Muslim parents who don’t use the Hijab, who don’t like the Hijab, and who don’t encourage their daughters to use the Hijab. In fact, some of them even wage war against their daughters for using the Hijab. Their daughters grow up being nonchalant about the Hijab.
Look around and do your maths. The number of non hijabi female Muslims is by far higher than that of the Hijabis. In fact, there are those who you would have concluded are not Muslims by their appearance until you hear their names. If this is the attitude of the larger percentage of Muslims to the Hijab, how do you expect non-Muslims to respect our right?
Take a look at the Firdaos Amasa saga. In the same year, Buhari’s daughter was graduating from law school, and she didn’t use Hijab. Non and nominal Muslims judge our Hijabi sisters by the actions or the non Hijabis who are in the majority. You will hear, “are you the only Muslim here? You’re just being fanatical.”
Had all the female Muslim lawyers graduating that year insisted on Hijab or nothing, would they all have suffered discrimination? It’s the same thing at the NYSC orientation camps. If all our sisters had this orientation from home, it would be difficult for any camp official to strip them in the name of NYSC kits.
Laws are meant to be reviewed to accommodate and respect our diversities and complexities. The Hijab isn’t a “religious” attire that’s worn when going for worship. It is the dress and uniform of the Muslim lady whenever she’s leaving her privacy both within and outside her home.
Yesterday, we were able to resolve the issue quickly because we have conscious Muslim brothers in government. The commissioner for youth development who doubles as chairman of the NYSC governing board phoned me after he shared the screenshot of my Facebook post with me on WhatsApp. This is one huge benefit of having Muslims in power even in a democratic society.
In the entire southern Nigeria, there’s no single Muslim governor, in spite of some states having Muslims in majority. Politics is a game of numbers. If you sit back expecting the system to favour you when your own is not around the corridors of power, you will suffer greatly.
What the Muslim community needs to do is to start grooming young and vibrant Muslims who can represent Islam and the Muslim community in matters that affect their fundamental rights. ما لا يُدرك كله لا يُترك كله
*’Dr. Sanusi Lafiagi, Lecturer, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State
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