Re: Kwara Must Change calls for end to hostility between Christians and Muslims over hijab -By Boma Igani

– Says there are over 4000 religion in the world that are not enjoying the priviledges enjoyed by both religion -KMC

Nigerian Supreme Council For Ecclesiastical Affairs (NSCEA) hails a leading Pro Democracy group, Kwara Must Change who has called on both Christian and Muslims to desist from antagonism and mutual suspicion that could lead to violence and meaningless lost of lives and properties over issue of hijab in the state.

The group also said that, both parties should understand that the law of the federal republic of Nigeria is above any religious bias and government must be allowed to manage current disagreement in the interest of peace and unity.

In a statement by Convener of Kwara Must Change, Mr Abdulrazaq Hamzat, the group stated that, both Christians and Muslims have their prejudices and excesses, which often becloud our sense of judgement, especially on religious differences.

Hamzat explained that, while the issue of hijab is strictly a human rights and constitutional issue, which had been subjected to judicial interpretation in favor of the Muslims. The Muslims should not add petrol to fire under the guise of agitating for rights.

“Muslim should not take laws into their hands by heating up the polity with threatening statements and imposing an atmosphere of disorder, while seeking implementation of a judgement. They should instead cooperate with government to do it’s job Hamzat said adding that, only government can address the issue properly and they should be given all necessary cooperation to do so.

According to him, everyone should direct their complain or observation to the government in a civilized manner, through proper communication, instead of attacking each other in public space through inflammatory statements that could instigate the public.

Hamzat also added that,
“Christianity and Muslim are not the only religions in the world, there are over 4000 religions and none has enjoyed as much previleges as Islam and Christianity and both religion should not take such opportunity for granted.

He maintained that, as people of faith, we know that the continuous crisis, often orchestrated by adherent of both faith under the guise of rights, may eventually lead to a situation, where adherents to other faiths may call for an end to the privileges Islam and Christianity often enjoy, which maybe legal and fair.

“Christian and Muslims should therefore count ourselves privileged and silently enjoy our privileges, instead of constantly heating up the polity in quest for greater privileges.

Kwara Must Change therefore call on government to come up with a permanent solution to the ongoing dispute inline with laid down rules and regulations.

Bishop Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, Secretary, Elders Council, Nigerian Supreme Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs (NSCEA) speaking with our Correspondent at NewsChristian Network, Boma Igani responding to the issue hails KMC’s for their intervention adding that,

“It is good to also bear in mind that Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state has said his administration has approved the return of some schools to the sole missionary ready to take them back. The government of Ondo state has returned some schools to their missionary proprietor last week.”

Adesanya-Davies says, “Hope the Kwara state governor and government will emulate this great decision making process of Ondo state and borrow a leaf from this instead of allowing the issue of hijab to keep causing crisis, in Kwara state of Harmony.

The Missions should have their schools whether Christians or Muslims. Each faith can then practice what they believe in, in their schools, and this will help to resolve, reduce or stop some of these rampart religious troubles in schools as well as curb this menace in our society,

We may recall, “Ajiri Daniels four weeks ago, had reported in Ilorin, Kwara state that, “CAN insists will not allow Hijab in grant-aided mission schools in Kwara.”

Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kwara state insisted that it will not allow use of hijab in grant-aided mission schools in the state…. We have since asked the state government to return our schools back to us.

“We want to inform the general public that whatever happens in our schools on hijab issue, should dropped at the doorsteps of the state government. CAN in the state will resist their move, even with the last ounce of our blood.

“We implore the state government to as a matter of urgency return our schools back to us. Christians are bonafide citizens of this state and we own it together. If the state government refuses we will use all constitutional means to get our schools back.”

Internationally, in similar development, we read today the news headline, “Hijab Not Essential Religious Practice – Indian Court, March 15, 2022, as reported by Lekan Abdul in The Punch.

It news reads, “The Karnataka High Court said Tuesday that the hijab is not an essential religious practice, as it backed government’s ban on hijab in classrooms, challenged by a group of Muslim students in a row that spread to many districts since protests began at a school last year.

“We are of the considered opinion that wearing of hijab by Muslim women does not form a part of essential religious practice in Islamic faith,” three judges said, refusing to strike down the state government’s ban and dismissing petitions by students.

According to the New Delhi Television, the Karnataka government had banned clothes “which disturb equality, integrity and public order” in schools and colleges in a February 5 order.

“The prescription of school uniform is a reasonable restriction which students cannot object to. The government has the power to issue an order,” said the High Court order.

The Karnataka High Court had temporarily banned religious clothes, including Hijab and saffron scarves, last month as the controversy snowballed into protests and a face-off between different sections of students, the NDTV reports.

The petitioners, which included a dozen Muslim students, had told the court that wearing the hijab was a fundamental right guaranteed under India’s constitution and an essential practice. But the court struck out their argument.

The NDTV reports that students and teachers in hijabs have been stopped from entering schools and colleges in many parts of the state over the past few weeks.

The court had earlier clarified, however, that the temporary ban applied only to students and not teachers.

The controversy over the hijab erupted when students at a school in Udupi alleged that for the first time in years, they had been banned from entering class in headscarves. As the restrictions spread to more campuses, an escalation saw saffron-wearing students launching rival protests, according to NDTV.

The state ruling Bharatiya Janata Party said no religious symbols should be allowed in places of study as party leaders denied accusations of targeting Muslim students in government colleges.

“I welcome the court’s decision. I appeal to everyone that the state and country has to go forward, everyone has to maintain peace by accepting the High Court order. The basic work of students is to study. So leaving all this aside they should study and be united,” the Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines, Pralhad Joshi, said in Delhi.

The Minister of Primary & Secondary Education and Sakala of Karnataka, B.C. Nagesh, wrote in his official Koo App handle, “I welcome landmark judgement of Hon’ble Karnataka High Court on school/colleges uniform rules. It reiterated that the law of the land is above everything.”

Nigeria should also emulate the Indian Court’s judgement, because it remains a secular nation and their is no need to add insult on injury by continuing to infringe on the rights of the Christians in their own school environments. This would not promote peace and unity in the states and nation.

Bishop Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies
Secretary, Elders Council, NSCEA
Nigerian Supreme Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs (NSCEA)

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Hijab not essential religious practice – Indian court
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