World Hijab Day: Stop opposing Muslim women’s right to modest dressing —MMPN

The Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) has called on those showing opposition to Muslim women’s use of the hijab to exercise restraint and embrace the spirits of tolerance and understanding.

The organisation made the call in a statement by its National President, Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Balogun, in which it felicitated with Muslims and non-Muslims alike on the occasion of the 2018 World Hijab Day.

It said its call became important in view of the subjection of Muslim ladies to “ridicule, intimidation, harassment and frustration” for dressing “modestly” in accordance with the dictate of Islam.

The World Hijab Day, which is celebrated annually on February 1, MMPN emphasised, is designed to convince the world that hijab is not a mere headscarf but an injunction to the believing Muslim women from their Creator.

Reaffirming the basis for the wearing of hijab by Muslim women and girls, the organisation quoted the Qur’an as saying: “And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof. That they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty….”

It said: “We are calling for tolerance and understanding from our non-Muslim brethren who detest Muslim women donning the hijab, which is in compliance with the commandment of Allah, the Creator of all mankind.

“Many Muslim ladies are subjected to various forms of ridicule, intimidation, harassment and frustration by intolerant colleagues, bosses, neighbours and even government offices for dressing in line with their faith.

“Despite the country’s multi-religious status, Section 38, Sub-section 1 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended guarantees that “every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion (either alone or in community with others and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance.”

“Our support for Miss Firdaus Amasa and her colleague, Miss Aisha Zubair, over the hijab brouhaha during the December 2017 Nigerian Law School call to bar ceremony is hereby reaffirmed and we insist on justice for them and others who were discriminated against for wearing hijab.

“We also use this opportunity to commend the courage of the House of Representatives in organising a public hearing into the matter on February 6. We implore all stakeholders who believe in equity, justice, fairness and equality to attend and share their experiences.”