The Muslim community, in conjunction with Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, MSSN, frowned at alleged prevention of Muslim students in C.A.C Araromi Government Middle School, Osogbo, from using their hijab.
In a statement signed by the Ameer/Zonal Coordinator, MSSN Zone B, Barr. Qaasim Odedeji, the Muslim students called on the Osun state government to investigate the matter and bring the “violators of law” to justice.
The statement disclosed that the society has begun investigation into the matter and would soon take appropriate steps if the government failed to call the authorities of the school to order.
It stated that the society has reliably gathered that the authorities of the C.A.C Araromi Government Middle School have turned the assembly ground to crusade where Muslims were forced to partake in Christian songs and dance.
“In view of the the infringement of the fundamental right of the female Muslim Students to wear Hijab on their school uniform, the Osun State Muslim Community in conjunction with the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria filed the suit against the government and the school administrators.
“The case went in favour of the Muslims and the government complied with the court judgment by issuing a new government policy which allows the use of Hijab in all public schools in Osun State.
“It will then amount to contempt of court and disobedience to the constituted authority for any principal or headteachers of any public school to intimidate or do anything to deny any Muslim female student the use of Hijab.
“We therefore call on the state government to investigate the allegation of denial of female Muslim Students the use of Hijab in some schools such as C.A.C Middle School, Araromi, Osogbo,” Odedeji said.
Meanwhile, the state government has denied directing any public school to deny female Muslim students from using hijab in any of the government schools.
Reacting, the Commissioner for Education, Mr. Waseeu Omotunde-Young, said, “The Policy guidelines issued to all Basic education schools in Osun recognises the right of every child who desires to wear hijab to so do.
“Any school or teacher who denies the pupils with blanket ban is violating the rights of the pupils.
“We’ve have called one of the principals and she said they didn’t stop any student from wearing hijab,” the Commissioner stated.
