Association sets up committee to meet with relevant authorities over Hijab issue

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December 27, 2017 10:16 AM

The Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN) has made a declaration in a communique on Monday, December 25, 2017 in Katsina State.

The communique was signed by MULAN’s National President, Dr. Kamal Dawud.

The declaration is to the effect that the Body of Benchers' refusal to allow Firdaus Amasa entrance into the ICC where the ‘Call to Bar’ ceremony for the new wigs was holding, was discriminatory and unlawful.

The communique reads, “On the issue of discrimination, humiliation and the subsequent denial of calling Firdaus Al-Jannah Amasa to the Nigerian Bar, MULAN maintains that the position of the law remains as decided by the Court of Appeal in its judgment in ‘The Provost, Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin & 2 Ors v. Bashirat Saliu & 2 Ors (CA/IL/49/2006), and Asiyah & Ors v. LASG & Ors (2016), 15 NWLR (Pt 1535) 117, where the court declared that the use of hijab by female Muslim students constitutes an act of worship, hence the refusal to allow the appellants wear it on their uniform is a clear infraction of their rights."

“This remains the position of the law and it is unlawful to deprive female Muslims from putting on the hijab in government-owned institutions."

MULAN in the Communique saluted the young lady's courage, and act of standing up for her fundamental rights, while ensuring that a committee is set up to meet with relevant authorities in order to justly determine the issue.

“The association salutes Amasa’s courage and defiance in standing up for her rights and adhering to the tenets of her religion.

“MULAN is also not oblivious of the lopsided tilt of our legal system. Muslim lawyers have been subjected to conform to certain practices and adorn themselves with paraphernalia like the wig and gown that have Judeo/Christian neo-colonialist origin without complain.

“MULAN has set up a nine-man committee to meet and make representations to all relevant authorities in order to ensure that the issue is justly determined.”

According to the PUNCH, Dawud encouraged lawyers to ensure the peaceful co-existence of Nigerians with respect and obedience to the rule of law.

Article by Misthura Otubu

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