"The constitution guarantees freedom of worship" - Islamic group

olamide oni

November 25, 2015 12:25 PM

The organisation has urged the Lagos State Government to reconsider the banning of Hijab in public schools.

Hijab

The Conference of Islamic Organisation has urged the Lagos State Government to reconsider the banning of Hijab in public schools.

The Coordinator of organisation, Alhaji Abdullahi Shuaib, spoke during a courtesy visit to the state Commissioner for Home Affairs, Mr. Abdullatef Abdulhakeem, on Tuesday.

“Nigeria’s constitution guarantees freedom of worship and even in advanced democracies Muslim women are allowed to wear hijab right from nursery school to tertiary institution,” Shuaib said.

“The CIO has assisted Lagos State in various interventions, among which was when the former Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, banned Muslims from wearing hijab in public schools.

“The Muslim community in Lagos did not take the issue for granted and was spoiling for confrontation with the state, until CIO intervened, " Shuaib stated,

He also called on the Government to start paying honorarium to Imams in the state to make them have a sense of belonging.

“I also appeal to the state government to pay Imams honorarium so that they will have the feeling that they are part and parcel of government.

Abdulhakeem promised to present the demands of the group to the state governor, urging the group to furnish the state with the database of members for proper identification.

He also encouraged religious organisations to generate employment by setting up businesses that would create jobs, adding that the government would fulfill its part by providing an enabling environment for such businesses to thrive.

“Use your pulpit to teach members of the society to also be law-abiding,” the commissioner added.

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