• Celebrate remarkable achievements of Muslim women in hijab

Owing to the persistent violation of the rights of Muslim women who wear the Hijab during data capturing, a coalition of Muslim Women in Nigeria, under the aegis of the Hijab Right Advocacy Initiative, has called on agencies in charge of biometric data to abide by the compulsory applicability of the Nigeria Biometric Standards, counselling front-end partners, operators, staff of these agencies to always follow the guidelines.

To commemorate World Hijab Day (WHD) 2024, the group comprises Hijab Rights Advocacy Initiative, FOMWAN Lagos, Nasrul-Lahi Fathi Society (NASFAT), Pure Heart Islamic Foundation, Al-Muminaat Organisation, MSSN Lagos State Area unit, An Nujabau Female Forum, Izharul Haq Movement of Nigeria, The Criterion Lagos District, International Muslim Women Union (IMWU), Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN), Lagos Secretariat Community Central Mosque, Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), Akhwaat Muslimat Organization, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Guild of Muslim Professionals, Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria, Pristine Cactus Foundation, among others described the infringement as violation of human right according to Nigeria constitution.

The World Hijab Day is a yearly event celebrated every February 1 in over 140 countries. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness about modest Muslim dress.

The group’s coordinator, a lawyer, Mutiat Orolu-Balogun said WHD is a reminder of the profound significance of the Hijab and the strength it embodies for Muslim women worldwide.

“Under the theme ‘Veiled in Strength’ we reflect on the resilience and dignity of Muslim women who choose to wear the hijab as a symbol of their faith and identity. Our dress code was given to us by God as stated in Quran 33V59. And we Muslim women uphold our religious obligation to obey as God has commanded, despite the challenges,” she said.

She noted that it takes strength and faith to wear hijab, particularly in today’s world despite the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion guaranteed by the constitution.

“The laws regulating these matters recognise and permit the use of Hijab. Yet some public officers use their positions to infringe on the rights of Muslim women.”

“Just a few days ago, Mrs Apampa was travelling for Umrah (lesser Hajj) and was asked by two immigration Officers to remove her Hijab or bare her ears before she could be cleared to pass through immigration to board her flight. The travel documents of Mrs Apampa, her international passport and Visa, all had her pictures with her Hijab intact, just as she presented herself at the airport.”

Nasrul-lahi-l-faith Society (NASFAT), Women Affairs Secretary, Alhaja Suwebat Bola Kupolati, said Muslim women should not be asked to compromise their religious beliefs or have their fundamental human rights infringed upon during their biometric process.

She called on the Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Ms. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, to ensure officials and agents of the commission are properly briefed on this matter now that training programme is on-going.

Ameerah, Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos, Rafiah Tijani, said WAEC registration is ongoing in Lagos State public schools and the society has received several reports of students being asked to take off their Hijabs or bear their ears before they can be registered.

“The issue of registration and writing of examinations, such as WAEC, NECO, and JAMB, must be addressed to ensure that Muslim girls are not subjected to discrimination.”

She called on the Commissioner of Basic Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun to look into this matter urgently.

Representative of the Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), Roqeebah Solanke, called on the Inspector General of Police to sensitize officers in the force on the rights of defendants and upholding the presumption of innocence until a court of competent jurisdiction pronounces a defendant guilty.

“It is imperative to address the plight faced by defendants, particularly hijab-wearing individuals, accused of crimes or wrongdoing. Despite the fundamental presumption of innocence, the experience of a sister detained in a police station often involves the unjust stripping of her hijab and niqab, sometimes even her outer garments. Such actions not only violate her constitutional right to dignity but also contravene our nation’s commitment to the fair treatment of all individuals, regardless of their legal status. Our laws unequivocally prohibit torture and ill-treatment of prisoners, reaffirming our collective commitment to justice and human rights.”

Representative of the Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Alhaja Kudrat Ogunmuyiwa, celebrated the remarkable achievements of Muslim women in hijab over the past year, both in Nigeria and worldwide.

“Muslim women continue to inspire and uplift their communities through their exemplary contributions. We also celebrate our sister, Dr. Aminat Ige-Ariyibi for bagging the award for best PhD thesis at the 54th convocation ceremonies at the University of Lagos. We pray Allah bless it for her and many other Muslim women making a difference, whether as housewives, mothers, career women, entrepreneurs or even political and community leaders. We see you, and we celebrate you.

“We remember our sisters and children in Gaza, who still maintain their Hijabs despite the ongoing war, bombing and displacement from their homes. Many of them sleep with their Hijabs whether they survive or not, they are still with their Hijabs. They truly have embodied the theme, “veiled in strength”. We call the international community to call for an end to the ongoing genocide in Palestine and we pray for Allah’s help and victory.”