Position of The MSSN Lagos State Area Unit on the judgment delivered by Justice Grace Onyeabo of LAGOS STATE HIGH COURT

issued circular permitting the use of hijab in their secondary school.

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Onyeabo had on Friday dismissed and ruled against the use of hijab in schools, claiming it would affect the secular nature of Lagos State.

The Christian judge neglected and rejected numerous arguments presented to her, during the about two-year case, that sections of the Nigerian constitution and international laws guaranteed the freedom of religion, thoughts and conscience.

It will be recalled that MSSN Lagos had approached the court to seek end to the humiliation and harassment of Muslim sisters from using hijab.

One of the scenarios of harassment stated by the group was that on February 5, 2013, Aisha, a JSS II student of Kadara Junior High School, Ebute Metta was flogged forty three (43) strokes of cane on the assembly ground by her principal, Mrs. E.C Ukpaka, because Aisha did not to remove her Hijab after coming out of Islamic Religious Knowledge class, where it is ordinarily permitted to adorn Hijab.

MSSN Lagos also mentioned that on February 20, 2013, Bareerah Tajudeen of Mafoloku Senior Grammar School, Oshodi had her Hijab removed and trampled upon by her principal, Mrs. Elizabeth Omidele, outside the school premises.

However, MSSNLSAU, through a press statement by its President, Alhaji Kaamil Kalejaiye said it rejected the judgement.

Kaamil explained that dismissing such a case with constitutional backings as grounds further proved the level of oppression and discrimination against Muslims.

He said, “It is shameful that the judge denied us a right that is not only Godly but constitutionally stated. Do we call that a misinterpretation of the constitution or rape of the code of law. We want to believe that the judge is not higher than the constitution and dictates of the constitution must stand at all times. While we remain undaunted and won’t relent on our moves to get female pupils dress accordingly because it is their right, we reject in totality the judgement and urge every Muslims to do so too.

“We are simply demanding our right and not a favour. This is one of the evils that have continued to dominate the Raji Fashola’s administration. By Allah’s will, the Governor and his anti-Islamic and oppressive policies will not be allowed to stay. Categorically, Muslim students in Lagos are the worst hit by most of his policies and Allah’s willing in 2015; any party who has continuously denied us of using Hijab will be denied our votes.

“This is shockingly an evil from man to man and If some people or government think they can influence judgement on earth, they can’t in heaven.  After demolishing mosques, cremating dead people, the state still wants to continue to encourage immoral dressing, it will fail! What it signifies to refuse Hijab is simply that you are asking our female pupils to begin to dress nakedly. It is shameful that we have found ourselves in a state where wrong acts are seen as the correct by some elements.”

Kalejaiye insisted that the judgement would not have been fairly arrived at, giving the stance that the defendant lawyer, Femi Pedro (SAN) had in one of his positions argued and recognised the use of Hijab.

He also said since the government said it would allow the use of Hijab during Islamic Religion Knowledge classes and Jumaat prayer, the Judge should know that it was a permissible dressing ethics for female Muslims.

He added, “It is embarrassing to hear the judge say that allowing the freedom of religion for Muslims would affect faithful of other religions. This seems to be absolutely out of point as the mode of practise and doctrines of every religion are different. And the judge should have identified in the argument of the government counsel that Hijab is compulsory for Muslim females.

“It will be recalled that the government’s lawyer, Femi Pedro (SAN), had conceded that Hijab was “compulsory for Muslims that are adults”. But how does he want an adult to begin to use what he/she has not been practicalising from youthful age? Of what use would it be to encourage Muslim females to dress naked during their youthful age and covered when they grow? Islam is a perfect religion and it does not encourage any form of irregularities.

“There is contradiction between the judge and the provisions of the constitution because while the judge claims that Nigeria is a secular state, the constitution recognises two major religions, which are Islam and Christianity.  It must be noted that the government finances the schools with tax paid by our parents and indirect tax by us so we have the right to demand for our right in our schools. The government is only allowed to make policies that are within the confines of the constitution and not to its favour.

“Even when we understand that this is a Christian agenda, we warn the judiciary not to compound the immoralities and segregation against Muslims as promoted by the present state governor and his party. No wonder all those in the educational and judicial sectors are Christians plotted to deny Muslims of their right.”

Female President of the group, Hajia Hafsah Badru, added that since the secularity of the states that granted it was not disturbed, there was no basis for that to be a cause for denying the constitution to take its stand.

“It is mostly painful to us that the judge refused to recognise or state any punishment or defence for further oppression and harassment of female pupils. Our lawyer had told her how some of our pupils (claimants) were beaten and molested but no substantial comment was made on that.

“Some states have granted the use of Hijab in their schools and they don’t have problem with maintaining their secularity as claimed by the judge. Why should Lagos be different? Wearing hijab is a constitutional act, must be allowed and seen as such,” she added.

MSSN Lagos counsel, Chief Gani Adetola-Kazeem, had after the judgement said an appeal would be filed.

He said, “Well the court has spoken there are still very many issues to be considered which invariably means that we will appeal the judgment.