By Mumini Abdulkareem
The umbrella body of all Muslim organisations in Kwara State, the Council of Muslim Organisations (CMO), has described Firdaus Amosa who was denied induction by the Nigerian Law School as heroine of hijab and symbol of sacrifice and called for her call to bar without further delay.
The religious body described as illegal, the decision of the Nigerian Law School barring the Muslim Law graduate from being inducted merely for wearing hijab.
Addressing a news conference in Ilorin on Tuesday, CMO’s Coordinator and former Grand Khadi of Kwara State, Justice Idris Haroon said the lady was denied her induction on account of her resoluteness to exercise her religious rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.
The apex Muslim organisation said that the provision to wear hijab must be inserted in the Code of Conduct book of the Nigerian Law School, the Nigerian Defence Academy, all para-military formations and other national agencies based on section 38 of the Nigerian Constitution.
“Hijab is a living component of the dress code of the Muslim lady/woman. Hijab dignifies her status and distinguishes her from commoners, protects her and elevates her. It is her religious identity. Allah orders her to wear the hijab. So, it is a divine instruction. Qur’an 24:31
“Bound by all times-honoured principle if judicial precedents, High Courts, and in particular, the Court of Appeal, have consistently upheld and unanimously affirmed the decision on the use of the Islamically prescribed head cover (the hijab) by the female Muslim students. The judgements should be respected and held sacrosanct by the Nigerian Law School and Council of Legal Education in Nigeria. The Body of Benchers should stop harassing female Muslim law graduates on account of wearing hijab,” he said.
The organisation, which commended resoluteness and courage of the lady involved in the drama to defend sanctity of hijab in the alleged face of intimidation and molestation, described her as heroine of hijab and symbol of sacrifice.
On the New Year eve mayhem in Ilorin, the state capital, the group praised the state Governor, Alh Abdulfatah Ahmed and the Emir of Ilorin, Alh Ibrahim Sulu- Gambari for their quick intervention, which circumvented the crisis from snowballing into a religious issue.
It also thanked the state police command for its quick response and timely clarification that the crisis was perpetrated by a group of unguarded youths who were reportedly prevented from holding a carnival by leaders of Taiwo-Isale community.
The CMO, however enjoined leaders of various religious groups in the state to always verify information at their disposal before running to the press, saying that the statement credited to the Kwara State Chairman of the Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN), Prof. Timothy Opoola on the crisis did not reflect the true picture of what led to the crisis as well as the identity of the perpetrators.
The CMO suggested that the state government should organise an inter-faith and community relations conference to entrench peace and sustainable development.
On the raging issue of female circumcision and female genital mutilation, the group said it is a religious practice endorsed by Prophet Muhammad, adding that it should be differentiated from female genital mutilation.
