when two soldiers stopped and began to
allegedly harass her.
According to an eyewitness, identified as
Adetutu, it took the intervention of passersby
and sympathisers for the Muslim woman to get
her veil back.
Apart from the removal veil on Friday, two
images had earlier been sighted separately at
Ibadan.
One of the images seen and allegedly signed by
‘Federal Government’ at University College
Hospital, Ibadan read,”Wearing of long hijab is
prohibited in government establishment for
security reasons”.
It will be recalled that this is happening few
weeks to the comment that Federal Government
may ban Hijab by President Muhammadu
Buhari.
President Buhari while commenting on the
continued blasts in the North-East during his
maiden media chat last Wednesday said, “We will
have to consider banning of the Hijab if this (the
suicide attacks) continues.”
But on Friday (January 1), the President through
his Senior Special Assistant on Media and
Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a press release denied
insinuations that his adm
inistration had plans to ban Hijab.
While describing Hijab as the Muslim women’s
dressing symbol of modesty, Buhari’s
spokesperson added, “Everything will be done to
balance national security requirements with the
rights and obligations of citizens under their
religions as protected by the constitution.”
The eyewitness, who described the the removal
of the Hijab as an embarrassing sight and
injustice, urged the Federal Government to make
an official pronouncement stating that the hijab
has not been banned to avert further chaos.
While narrating how the Hijab was removed,
Adetutu said, “I arrived at the Meiran Bus Station
to board a bus when I saw three armed military
men stop a Muslim woman who was putting on
ta black attire and a face veil. One of them
confronted her asking why she used the face
veil.
“The woman was surprised and helpless. Almost
immediately he (one of the soldiers) turned up
her face veil to reveal her face.
“The woman who felt ashamed only looked and
could do nothing because the soldiers were
heavily armed.
“After one of the soldiers revealed her face,
another soldier forcefully removed the veil from
her saying ‘This thing is not allowed in our
country. You can use it in your house but not
here’.
“He (the soldier) took the veil and was about
leaving with it. All the woman could do was to
plead with him to at least release the veil to her.
“After harassing her in such a way that called
attention of passersby, he (the soldier) returned
the veil to her and she quietly left almost
shedding tears.”
Reacting to the pasting of a message to prohibit
Hijab at UCH Ibadan, Amir of Muslim Students’
Society of Nigeria, UCH branch, Adam Hamzah
said, “This is yet another reflection of open
hatred of Islam. However, i want to urge our
sisters to entertain no fear in showcasing the
beauty of Islam through their Hijab. After all,
they realised the essence of their existence unlike
those who walk about in nudity.
“It is therefore imperative not to allow this issue
derail us from the golden path. I am glad to
inform you that MSSN at the branch,state,zonal
and national levels is currently working
assiduously to put a stop to this oppression.
“Several notable Muslim personalities have been
duly informed about the issue.This is with a view
to ensuring that our SON sisters enjoy not only
using Hijab in the hostel but also on the wards. I
therefore charge us to join hands in making this
a reality.”
On her part, the Amirah of MSSN Lagos, Hajia
Hafsoh Badru lamented many people have
started harrasing female Muslims on Hijab.
She added, “It is regrettable that such statement
was made at a period when Muslim sisters are
facing tough times in practising their religion. We
are sure that the Presidency is not unaware of
the continuous denial of Muslim students to use
Hijab as guaranteed by the Nigeria constitution
and United Nations Charter on Human Rights.
“We hope that the earlier statement by the
President won’t serve as a means for some bad
eggs in governance to punish and harass
females in Hijab or label them wrongly. We
sincerely appeal to the president to mandate the
Ministry of Information and other necessary
agencies to release a circular that will guarantee
female Muslims right to wear Hijab on the street,
in schools and during their National Youth
Service Corps (NYSC).”
By: Sodiq Oyeleke and Sakinah Adeyinka
In addition to that; according to chapter IV of Nigerian 1999 constitution as amended:

Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

Every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom (either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance.

It is obvious that this is a case of human rights violation, we hereby call on the powers that be to sanction these erring officers so as to serve as a deterrent to others who might be planning to manifest this evil act in the future.

Note report all cases of harassment to Human rights Monitor
Address: Rights House 43, Adeniyi Jones Avenue, ikeja Lagos, Nigeria.
08038040123, 09021276592.
Email: humanrightsmonitors@yahoo.com

sharap ... You all are terrorist, hijab must be banned.


Case closed

jerrythafinisher:
sharap ... You all are terrorist, hijab must be banned.



Case closed

another halfbaked product. Thank you for your opinion tho, if you ever make it to the top "we will use it against you"

If and only you make it to the top

*sips kunu*

swagglordbm Long Hijabs and burka are a security risk. It does not indicate modesty more than it indicates oppression of women.

Many middle east Islamic countries force it on women irrespective of their religion. Its only the muslim allah that looks at the dressing and not the heart.

Apparently the muslim Allah didn't know that his terrorists will use it to blow up innocent people, or maybe he did.

Either way Nigeria will be a safer place without that heat causing bomb covering symbol of women oppression.

However, since no law has been passed to ban the hijab and bukar, its not right to harass women who chose to wear it. Nigeria is a diverse and multicultural society that should be accepting of everyone no matter what they chose to wear.