By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
The Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Oyo State chapter on Tuesday demanded immediate end to all forms of harassment , molestation, hostility and discrimination against female muslims particularly female students over wearing of Hijab
FOMWAN in a statement in Ibadan by its Oyo State Amirah, Alhaja Bushra Oloso to mark the World Hijab Day, 2022 declared that enough of “discrimination against Hijab anywhere in the world, saying such is discrimination against modesty.
The association emphasized that there was nothing wrong with anyone who chooses not to dress immodestly but adorn themselves in hijab as commanded by Allah in the Glorious Q’uran.
” As we mark World Hijab Day 2022, there’s the need to again reiterate our call to all those who have continued to demonstrate open hatred and animosity for the use of hijab and even niqab to exhibit religious tolerance and allow muslim females to freely follow their religious teachings”, she said.
Alhaja Olosho added, ” as muslims, we will never oppose to anyone who is living by the dictates of his or her faith because freedom of religion is guaranteed in the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria. Hijab is the crown divinely ordained by Allah for the female muslims, hence, it is wrong and totally unwarranted for anyone to criminalize the crown”.
“Just like anyone is free to dress scantily by exposing those parts that should ordinarily and commonsensibly be concealed, female muslims should be allowed to wear their hijabs and niqabs anywhere without fear of any form of discrimination.”
On the theme of this year’s celebration: “Hijab Is Our Crown Not A Crime”, the FOMWAN Amirah stressed that ” hijab wearing muslims in Nigeria have not erred or committed any crime in the constitution for upholding the right to wear their God’s given crowns hence the harassment, assault, persecution and molestation in all forms in private or public places must stop.
According to Alhaja Olosho, “the increasing number of venomous molestations and acrimonious humiliations meted out to hijab and niqab wearing muslims in Nigeria especially in schools and work places are provocative, undeserving and unconstitutional, saying, why should some principals, head teachers or anyone in positions of authority would remove hijabs or ordered the removal of hijabs from a muslimah.
“Who is afraid of the Hijab? This is why FOMWAN and other Islamic organizations have taken it upon themselves to educate the public on some Islamic teachings, tenets and principles. We are doing everything possible to end Hijabphobia in Nigeria. Hijab and niqabs are outward manifestations and demonstrations of our faith and teaching. It is not compulsory on those who do not profess Islam and they do not need to be afraid of it”.
