Sanction erring principles, MSSN urges Sanwo-Olu

The Muslim Students Society of Nigeria has urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, led by the Governor of Lagos State, to impose sanctions against principals who fail to observe the hijab rights of Muslim students in the state.

This is because the body encouraged its members to be brave in wearing the hijab to schools, despite the harassment and victimization experienced in some schools.

The Amirah (woman president) of MSSNLagos, Azeezah Gidigbih, said this in her speech on World Hijab Day 2023, adding that the government should fire and prosecute any defaulting teacher or principal.

She explained that the theme of this year’s WHD, “Progression, not oppression,” reflected the situation of hijab-wearing students in Nigeria.

“Just like yesterday, we cheered when the Supreme Court awarded us victory over the use of hijab in schools after a legal battle of about 10 years.

“Indeed, we are making progress. Our efforts are yielding positive results and we will not rest until we reach 100% agreement on the use of hijab by our members,” she said in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday.

While Gidigbih threatened to sue anyone who harassed students and denied them the right to use the hijab in schools, Gidigbih challenged the Lagos government to publicly punish any misbehaving principal or teacher.

Gidigbih, who credited the Lagos government for issuing a circular to allow hijab in public schools, lamented the continued harassment of its members in hijab after the Supreme Court ruling and the state government’s circular last year.

She said: “It is no longer news that the Supreme Court approved in June 2022 that students are allowed to wear the hijab in all schools. However, this move has not deterred some overzealous school administrators who still flout caution and harass students without regard to the constitution and guidelines of their employers.

“We recommend demoting, firing, prosecuting and jailing them rather than simply transferring them, as we have seen in recent cases. These disobedient elements do not deserve to be part of our burgeoning education system in Lagos State.

“While we are not opposed to students adhering to school rules and dress codes, we will not allow the effect of the Supreme Court ruling to be diluted and rendered worthless.”

In this year’s World Hijab Day theme, the female head of MSSNLagos praised its members who have weathered the storm at various levels and become successful in their chosen career paths.

She also thanked Muslim lawyers, teachers, rights groups and others who defended the rights of Muslim students.

However, Gidigbih urged all stakeholders to encourage students and workers who have chosen to use the hijab and give them equal opportunities to learn and grow to further build society.