TheCable

The Lagos unit of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) has threatened to mobilise its members to shut down Lagos if harassment of students wearing hijab persists.

Basheerah Majekodunmi, amirah (female head) of the MSSN Lagos, said some students were still been harassed despite the circular issued by the Lagos state government and the judgement of the appeal court in favour of the use of hijab.

“In the hands of government officials, especially teachers in public schools, our members are regular victims of physical and verbal assaults,” she said at a press conference that held on Thursday to mark the World Hijab Day.

“The recent one being the slapping of a female Muslim student at Ikosi High School by an official of West African Examination Council (WAEC) for resisting to pull off her hijab. Other cases abound from Agbede Community Grammar School and Yewa Grammar School in Ikorodu, to Iba Estate Senior High School in Ojo.

“In November 2018, the Lagos State Government issued a circular to all principals of public secondary schools instructing them to allow students, who want to wear the hijab on their uniforms do so.

“When the Lagos State Government issued the circular, we thought relief had come, but it is utterly unfortunate that some school authorities and some deviant teachers are working against the circular.

“We call on the government to caution its indiscipline, unlawful officials among its teaching workforce. If not, the entire Lagos State will wake up one day to witness an abrupt shutdown by millions of our members and sympathisers.”

Describing the use of hijab as a right, Majekodunmi asked WAEC to caution its members to stop violating existing judgement that affirm the right to use hijab by female Muslim students.