Coalition raises alarm over threats to Igbo Muslim women ahead of World Hijab Day 2026

* Highlights discrimination against Muslim women with disabilities

* Calls for protection, inclusion, and enforcement of constitutional rights

* Invites Muslim women to Hijab Walk Sunday, February 1st

The challenges confronting Muslim women with disabilities and the realities faced by Igbo Muslims in Nigeria’s Southeast took centre stage on Thursday as a coalition of Muslim women organisations held a press conference in Lagos ahead of the 2026 World Hijab Day.

The event, organised in commemoration of World Hijab Day holding on Sunday, February 1, was held at the Alausa Secretariat Mosque Hall, Ikeja. This year’s global theme, “Unity in Hijab,” was locally adapted in Nigeria as “One Sisterhood” to reflect the country’s diversity and shared struggles.

Coalition raises alarm over rising threats to Igbo Muslim women in Southeast

Addressing journalists, a representative of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Hajia Kudrah Omotola Ogunmuyiwa, raised concern over what she described as the growing vulnerability of Igbo Muslims, particularly hijab-wearing Muslim women, in parts of Eastern Nigeria.

She said the intersection of ethnic identity and religious practice had exposed Igbo Muslim women to unique risks, including discrimination, social exclusion and threats of violence.

Hajia Ogunmuyiwa noted that although Islam has been practised in Igboland for decades, Igbo Muslims remain a minority within a minority, often facing cultural pressure and increasing hostility for visibly practising their faith.

She described recent hateful statements and alleged public calls for violence against Igbo Muslims by an individual identified as Mazi Kanayo as alarming and dangerous to national unity.

“Being Igbo and Muslim is not a contradiction,” she said, stressing that Islam transcends ethnicity and that Nigerian Muslims come from all ethnic groups.

She added that wearing the hijab does not diminish a woman’s ethnicity or citizenship, noting that an Igbo Muslim woman in hijab is fully Igbo and fully Muslim.

The FOMWAN representative condemned hate speech under any guise, citing Section 24(1)(c) of the 1999 Constitution, which obliges citizens to respect the dignity and rights of others.

She warned that Muslim women in the Southeast are increasingly exposed to verbal abuse, social ostracisation, economic boycotts, physical intimidation and denial of basic services solely because of their religious identity.

“This situation is unacceptable in a constitutional democracy,” she said.

FOMWAN called on law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute hate speech and incitement to violence, urged traditional and community leaders in the Southeast to publicly condemn religious intolerance, and appealed to civil society organisations to stand in solidarity with Igbo Muslims.

Coalition seeks protection for all citizens, including Muslim women with disabilities

The coalition also highlighted the plight of Muslim women with disabilities, describing their experiences as an overlooked reality that demands urgent attention.

Speaking on behalf of Al Mu’minaat (Believing Women) Organisation, Hajia Hussainat Akintola said hijab-wearing Muslim women with disabilities face double discrimination, both as persons with disabilities and as visibly practising Muslims.

She said many encounter inaccessible public spaces, including mosques, government offices and schools that lack ramps, elevators and disability-friendly facilities.

According to her, insensitive treatment by officials, humiliating identification processes, denial of assistive devices during security screenings, exclusion from religious spaces and employment discrimination are common challenges.

“Islam honours the dignity of every human being, regardless of ability,” Akintola said, citing examples from the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), including the appointment of the blind companion, Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum, to lead Medina in his absence.

She reminded authorities that Nigeria is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and has enacted the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act 2018.

The Hijab rights advocate called for accessible mosques and Islamic centres, disability-sensitive training for religious officials, inclusive policies in Islamic schools and organisations, representation of Muslim women with disabilities in decision-making, and reasonable accommodations during biometric and identification processes.

Muslim women emphasise unity and one sisterhood

Earlier in her welcome address, the convener and Director of the Hijab Rights Advocacy Initiative (HRAI), Hajia Mutiat Orolu-Balogun, said Muslim women in Nigeria were joining millions across the world to commemorate World Hijab Day 2026 under the theme “Unity in Hijab,” locally adapted as “One Sisterhood.”

She explained that World Hijab Day, observed annually on February 1 since 2013, was founded by Bangladeshi-American activist Nazma Khan to foster religious tolerance by inviting women of all faiths to experience wearing the hijab for a day.

She said the initiative has grown into a global movement observed in over 190 countries including Nigeria inception thirteen years ago.

According to Hajia Orolu-Balogun, the theme underscores the shared humanity of Muslim women across ethnicities, abilities, social classes and regions.

She noted that despite constitutional guarantees of religious freedom, Muslim women in Nigeria continue to face discrimination, harassment and exclusion for practising their faith.

World Hijab Day 2026 activities continue with Juma’ah Service and Hijab walk in Lagos

Activities to mark World Hijab Day will continue on Friday with a special Juma’ah service at the Alausa Secretariat Central Mosque, Ikeja. The main event will hold on Sunday, February 1, with a hijab walk starting from Allen, Ikeja, at 7 a.m., culminating at the Alausa Central Mosque for further activities.

The press conference was convened by a coalition of Muslim women organisations with notable Muslim organizations including Hijab Rights Advocacy Initiative, Nasrullahi Fathi Society (NASFAT), Pure Heart Islamic Foundation, Al Muminaat, Muslim Students Society of Nigeria Lagos State Area Unit, An Nujabau Female Forum, Izharul Haq Movement of Nigeria, Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Nigeria Lagos (FOMWAN).

Others are the Criterion Lagos District, International Muslim Women Union, Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria, Lagos Secretariat Community Central Mosque, Muslim Public Affairs Center, Akhwaat Muslimat Organization Lagos, Muslim Rights Concern, Guild of Muslim Professionals, Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria, Pristine Cactus Foundation and Women in Dawah.