The National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) has condemned the invitation of the leader of an Islamic organisation in Oyo State, Barrister AbdWaheed Olowonjaye by the Directorate of State Security, DSS over his comments on the negligence of government regarding the use of hijab.
The cleric who largely condemned the authorities for staying silent, and unconcerned about the whole issue, advised the students on what to do, whenever they are confronted for putting on Hijab, and veil. A comment that did not seat well with the Nigerian secret police, DSS.
NACOMYO’s condemnation is contained in a statement in Ibadan by its Oyo State Coordinator, Alhaji Dawood Afolabi.
The organisation noted that the comment of the Islamic scholar is exhibiting the fundamental principle of freedom of religion considering the nonchalant attitude of governments and the stumbling blocks that some agents served in preventing willing Muslims from using hijab or Niqob describing “the invitation of the DSS as unwarranted, reprehensible, condemnable and preposterous”.
NACOMYO is surprised that despite series of reports that had been lodged with the security agents over hijab issues by several Islamic organisations with no response or result, the comment of the scholar on the need for self help when government seems to have failed to provide such has now become a subject of discussion by DSS .
The organisation described the action of the DSS as double standard and injustice of the highest order stressing that the Directorate which remained silent despite the outcry of many Islamic organisations over the visitation of Daniel Kolenda evangelisation team to public schools last year can now come out to make news out of the comments of the Islamic leader.
“We are also surprised that the DSS that went to sleep during the visitation of the Daniel Kolenda evangelisation team to public schools in Oyo State last year have suddenly regained consciousness now that Muslims may resort to self help when help from government seems to have failed”.
NACOMYO therefore warned that “any syndicated invitation or possible arrest of any of our foot soldiers will be resisted by all judicial and extra judicial means at our disposal”. The organisation emphasized that “those who make possible changes difficult will surely make violent change inevitable”