- Muslim groups in Nigeria have strongly condemned the denial of Firdaus Amasa from being called to the Bar due to her wearing Hijab
- The groups described the action as a violation of her fundamental human rights
- MSSN, one of the Muslim groups, vowed to champion the cause of Amasa
Muslim groups in Nigeria have strongly condemned the denial of Firdaus Amasa from being called to the Bar due to her wearing Hijab.
Premium Times reports that the groups described the denial as unconstitutional and a violation of her fundamental human rights.
The groups include Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN), Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN).
READ ALSO: How David Mark illegally acquired Senate president’s official residence - FG
Others are Abuja Muslim Forum (AMF), Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates Association, (UNIFEMGA), Criterion, Muslim Consultative Forum (MCF), Muslim Ummah of South West of Nigeria (MUSWEN), Bodija Muslim Youth Forum (BOMYOF), and Muslim Community of Oyo State (MUSCOYS).
NAIJ.com gathered that the national president of MMPN, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said in a statement that the refusal by the authorities of the Nigerian Law School to call Firdaus Amasa to the Nigerian Bar was a gross violation of her right to freedom of religion as provided by Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as amended.
Balogun said: “We have taken our time to study, listen and hear all shades of opinion on this matter and we are of the opinion that despite Firdaus compromise of adorning a harmless and simple Hijab, her refusal to be called to the Bar is an infringement on her fundamental human right.”
“One is not sure of what is the Nigerian Law School and the Council of Legal Education are afraid of. The world is moving away from that rigid thinking and leaving Nigeria behind as wig on hijab are allowed in countries like US, UK and Kenya to mention just a few.
“It is our belief that female lawyers in Nigeria, like their counterparts in other advanced countries, should be allowed to dress properly in accordance with their belief.”
As the call to the Bar has ended for this year, MMPN called on all the affected bodies to do the needful and ensure that Amasa was enrolled in the next call to the Bar with her Hijab without any form of harassment or intimidation.
PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigeria’s #1 news app
Also, Jameel Muhammad, national president of MSSN, described the restriction on the use of hijab as “Islamophobia” and vowed that the group will champion the cause of Amasa.
Muhammad said: “My first point is that we are Nigerian citizens and we are entitled to our fundamental human rights which include freedom to religion and worship.
“If my religion demands something from me and I am not contravening any law of a country, I see no reason why they should trample upon fundamental, God given and constitutional right given to me by my country.”
Other Muslim groups also described Amasa’s denial of being called to the Nigerian Bar as unconstitutional and a gross violation of her fundamental human rights.
NAIJ.com previously reported that Sultan of Sokoto and president-general of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Dr. Mohammad Sa'ad Abubakar, has decried the recent controversy over Hijab.
According to him, Hijab simply means decent dressing for Muslim women and part and parcel of Islam.
The Sultan spoke in Lagos on Saturday, December 16, during the fifth National Convention of Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) with the theme, "Public Trust and Accountability".
The Sultan who was represented at the event by the Wazirin of Katsina, Professor Sanni Abubakar Lugga, said he could not decipher why the issue of Hijab would be so controversial to the extent that female Muslims who adorn Hijab would be 'molested'.
Ex Bishop David Abioye's driver quits Living Faith Church, converts to Islam on NAIJ.com TV
Source: Naija.ng
ROSY CREST
Tuesday, 19 December 2017