Public Affairs Centre, MPAC, has congratulated the Muslim female students of the University of Ibadan International School, Ibadan (ISI) who on Wednesday, 22 May, 2024, won a landmark victory in their case against the ISI which had challenged their right to use the hijab in school.
ISI had in November 2018, denied the female Muslim students the right to use hijab on top of their uniforms.
This made some female Muslim students, Faridah Akerele, Aaliyah Dopesi, Akhifah Dokpesi, Raheemah Akinlusi, Imam Akinoso, Hamdallah Olosunde, Aliyyah Adebayo, Moriddiyah Yekinni, Ikhlas Badiru, Mahmuda Babarinde, and Fareedah Moshood, their parents and Islamic advocacy group dragged the school, the University of Ibadan, and some principal officers of the institution to court.
The High Court in Oyo State has now ruled in favour of the female students and declared that hijab, according to a Supreme Court judgement on a related issue in Lagos State, is a fundamental human right of the affected students.
Disu Kamor, Executive Chairman of MPAC in a statement expressed happiness that the High Court’s judgement supports the constitutional rights of the students and as such strengthens our society by dealing with the societal ills of intolerance and bigotry in one pronouncement.
“Once again, MPAC supports and encourages female Muslims, especially Muslim students, to make our values heard, and make a free choice to adorn the hijab. This is an important duty; to work for the cause of their future on campuses and the society at large, with a noble vision, as they seek to cultivate a culture of pluralism, tolerance and coexistence for the advancement of all people on school premises/campuses,” Disu said.
Earlier, Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the Chairman Of International School, Ibadan (ISI) Muslim Parents Forum in a statement on May 21, 2024 after the delivery of the court judgement on the protracted Hijab case in Ibadan noted that the victory is a testament to the fact that Allah is always with those who stand on the path of the truth.
The statement read in part;
“It is also a testimony that the court is still the hope of the common man. We accept this victory with all solemnity. It is six years late. The youngest among our daughters who partook in the struggle as JSS One students are now in their final year in the school. However, it is a sweet victory over falsehood and oppression. We hereby call on all Muslim girls currently in the school to freely enjoy their rights as affirmed by the court today by wearing their hijab to school tomorrow without any fear of molestation. We also call on the authority of ISI to respect the pronouncements of the court as a responsible organisation.
“We use this medium to appreciate the leadership of Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Hijab Rights Advocacy International (HRAI), Muslim Community of Oyo State (MUSCOYS), National Council for Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO), Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), University of Ibadan Muslim Community and the generality of Muslims and well-meaning Nigerians for their support while this case lasted.
“We equally thank our lawyers; Prof. Wahab Egbewole (SAN), Barr. Hasan Fajimite, Barr. Sulaiman Alabi and MURIC’s Lawyer, Barr. Anikulapo for their diligent in handling of the case. Only Allah can reward you for your efforts. Our gratitude also goes to our daughters and their respective parents whose firmness in the face of oppression and excommunication was instrumental to the victory being savoured today. May Allah continue to uplift each and everyone of you. The best of speech is to say Alhamdulillah robil Alameen! ON HIJAB AT ISI-UI, WE STAND.”
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