Jubilations as court grants students right to wear Hijab

olamide oni

July 25, 2016 12:46 PM

This means that Muslim students in Lagos State public schools have the right to wear Hijab on their school uniforms both within and outside their school premises.

The Islamic veil known as Hijab

There was wild jubilation at the premises of the Court of Appeal in Lagos on Thursday, July 21, as the court granted pupils in public and secondary schools in the state the right to

After the judgement, Muslim males and females were seen praising God and rejoicing.

Most of them were shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’, ‘Alihamdulilah’‎, meaning Allah is the greatest and all thanks is due to Allah respectively.

With the verdict, it means that Muslim students in Lagos State public schools have the right to wear Hijab on their school uniforms both within and outside their school premises without being punished or victimised.

While delivering the verdict on Thursday, the justices set aside the verdict of the lower court (Lagos State High Court), which earlier disallowed the use of Hijab.

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Responding to the judgement, the President of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria in Lagos State, Saheed Ashafa, expressed delight over the pronouncement by the court.

While saying the right to wear Hijab was long overdue, Mr. Ashafa urged all parties to comply with the judgement.

He said, “This is victory for Islam! Victory to Muslims. The words of Allah have come to pass. We are glad that there are few judges whose neutrality has not be stained by sentiment.

“We wonder why we had to face so many challenges before our right is granted. This recognition and truthful interpretation on freedom of religion as enshrined in the Nigeria constitution (Section 36) and United Nations Charter, will further strengthen public trust on the judiciary.

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“Today will remain historic in the life of every Muslim in Lagos and Nigeria as a whole. We will remain law abiding and appeal to all and sundry not to act in ways and manners that are contrary to the judgement.

“This should mark the end to harassment, embarrassment, victimisation, cheat and all acts of wickedness unleashed on Muslim female students who wear the Hijab.”

olamide oni