By Mumini Abdulkareem
The Kwara State chapter of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria
(MSSN) has asked the state government to prevail on management of all
public schools to allow students of different religious beliefs
observe morning assembly prayers according to the dictates of their
religion.
The Muslim students said this is necessary to forestall a breakdown of
law and orders in the state public schools.
The MSSN condemned the recent occurrence at Bishop Smith College,
Ilorin where the school’s Imam was allegedly molested by some staff
when he attempted to pray in Islamic way, immediately after the
Christian prayers were said at the assembly ground.
The incident according to a statement signed by the MSSN Chairman,
Barr. Nurudeen Ibrahim occurred last Friday.
The MSSN added: “The Muslim dominated city of Ilorin is one of the
most peaceful cities in Nigeria. Muslims in Ilorin (like others
everywhere) are accommodating and tolerant. But our tolerance and
peace loving nature are exploited as a basis for the desecration and
infringements of our rights, religion and cultural norms.
“Thus, we received the above devastating news with a mix of umbrage
and shock. We state that forceful proselytization of students and
assault of Muslim in a Public academic institution is not only
condemnable and below the minimum standards of tolerance or civility
expected in a democratic society, but also a violation of Natural law
as well as all known Human rights instruments across the Globe by the
culprits. It is equally a violation of Section 38 the Constitution of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended)”.
“We urgently call on relevant stakeholders to quickly ensure a
thorough investigation and all the culprits involved in this dastardly
act must be brought to book and to put in place measures to prevent
repeat of this situation especially across all educational
institutions in Kwara state.
“The continuous discrimination against Muslims across all educational
institutions must be stopped. On a final note we request for the
immediate permanent closure of the school till all the Muslim
freedom/rights are restored in order to forestall a breakdown of
peace, security and order. “
