CITIZENS COMPASS— Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), on Friday, criticised the management of Nifor Academy Secondary School, Benin city in Edo state for insisting that a female Muslim student remove her hijab before being registered for the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC).
MURIC described this as victimisation of the highest order.
The Edo State Chapter of MURIC stated this in a statement signed by its Benin City Coordinator, Soughie Idris Dirisu.
The statement alleged religious persecution, stigmatisation and unlawful denial.
It reads:
The girl in question (name withheld) is supposed to be captured in order to be enrolled for the coming Senior West Africa School Certificate Examination ( WASC). But she was denied capture for putting on a hijab which is her Muslim identity.
MURIC is appalled by this illegal, unconstitutional and islamophobic stance of Nifor Academy school authority. Blinded by its hate for Islam, the school refused to acknowledge the constitutional provisions that guarantee freedom of religion and practice (including the choice to wear or not to wear hijab).
We affirm that wearing hijab is the most dignifying aspect of our religion and it cannot be taken away from us because it is our right.
In Islam, exposing a woman’s head is tantamount to nakedness, while wearing a hijab represents elegance, beauty and dignity of a woman.
“We therefore call on the school management and the WAEC authorities in Edo State to ensure that all female Muslim candidates are properly registered for WASC Examination.
‘MURIC will not hesitate to take all necessary legitimate steps against the school authority and even WAEC itself
if any female Muslim candidate is denied registration on account of her hijab.
Religious persecution is a serious crime, a crime against humanity. In fact, the names of individuals and institutions who have been persecuting Muslim students in Southern Nigeria should be compiled and submitted to the Federal Government for onward submission to the American Congress since the latter is looking for people who engage in religious persecution. Perhaps that will show them the right place to look next time.
