Muslim lawyer should be praised for exercising her religious rights

On December 12, 2017, Amasa Firdaus, was not called to the Nigerian bar because she refused to remove her Hijab.

Reportedly, the Muslim lady insisted on wearing her wig on her Hijab, which is a violation of the dress codes maintained by the Body of Benchers.

Hijabs are not worn during the during the ‘Call To The Bar’. This also applies to the Law Dinner. Hijabs are not tolerated at these two major law events.

During the Call to Bar ceremony, Firdaus vehemently refused to abide by the rules while protesting that the refusal of the authorities of the Body of Benchers to call her to the Nigerian Bar is a violation of her Right to Freedom of Religion protected by Section 38 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution.

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Sources at the ceremony say that other Muslims were respectfully asked to remove their hijabs before entering the hall. They all complied except Firdaus who was denied entry into the hall.

Pro-Hijab Argument

A week before this incident, Arc. Abdullah Musa Abdul wrote an opinion piece about Muslim women in the Nigerian Law School for the Daily Nigerian.

“For the Muslim lady, Hijab is not a choice, Hijab is a religious obligation, an integral part of a manifestation of her belief system,” he writes.

The Hijab should not be seen as a mere piece of cloth but an expression of one’s faith. Since the Nigerian Constitution and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights are both in support of freedom religion, no institution has the authority or power to withhold this right.

For 55 years since the creation of the Nigerian Law School, this has been the standard practice. It is believed that this issue has been raised over the years but nothing had been done about it. Many must have grumbled as they removed their hijabs so that they could become lawyers. The years of religious insensitivity have led up to this moment.

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With one woman’s bold action, this subject has been forced into the limelight. She should be applauded for her confidence and upholding her beliefs knowing fully well it would be a setback for her. When society and institutions fail to move with the times, it takes an act of courage to bring in change.

Amasa Firdaus’ action has whipped up a necessary conversation, which is an individual’s right to express his belief or faith in a government-controlled system.

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On The Other Hand

By extension, should certain Christians be forced to wear trousers during NYSC if their doctrine is against it? Where does the reach of the state stop and where does my right as a Muslim and Christian begin?

To be honest, the answers won’t be as bright as day or squeaky clean but we can all agree that this a conversation that needs to happen. Amasa Firdaus has jolted us to think about tese things. She stuck to her guns and refused to budge. She refused to momentarily give up her faith. When many buckled she stood steadfast holding on to Allah.

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She deserves a big applause for exercising her religious rights. The debate shouldn’t stop here. Amasa Firdaus has sparked up a debate that had been swept under the carpet for years.