Nigerian Law School’s position on hijab is unlawful - Muslim lawyers declare
- Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria say the refusal to allow female Muslims wear hijab is a clear infraction of their rights
- The group salutes Firdaus Amasa’s courage and defiance in standing up for her rights and adhering to the tenets of her religion
- The House of Representatives intervenes in the ongoing controversy over the refusal of the Nigerian Law School to graduate one of its students
A group of lawyers under the umbrella of the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN) has faulted the Nigerian Law School for refusing to allow Firdaus Amasa entrance into the venue of the call to bar ceremony recently in Abuja because she put on hijab.
The University of Ilorin law graduate was not called to bar on December 12 after she wore an hijab sparking controversy.
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But the group in a communiqué on Monday, December 25, in Abuja, stated that it was unlawful of the Nigerian Law School to deprive female Muslims from putting on the hijab in government-owned institutions, The Punch reports.
The communiqué which was signed by the association’s national president, Kamal Dawud, said a decided case at the Court of Appeal had shown that the refusal to allow the female Muslims wear hijab is a clear infraction of their rights.
The group said: “On the issue of discrimination, humiliation and the subsequent denial of calling Firdaus Al-Jannah Amasa to the Nigerian Bar, MULAN maintains that the position of the law remains as decided by the Court of Appeal in its judgment in ‘The Provost, Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin & 2 Ors v. Bashirat Saliu & 2 Ors (CA/IL/49/2006), and Asiyah & Ors v. LASG & Ors (2016), 15 NWLR (Pt 1535) 117, where the court declared that the use of hijab by female Muslim students constitutes an act of worship, hence the refusal to allow the appellants wear it on their uniform is a clear infraction of their rights.
"This remains the position of the law and it is unlawful to deprive female Muslims from putting on the hijab in government-owned institutions.
“The association salutes Amasa’s courage and defiance in standing up for her rights and adhering to the tenets of her religion.
“MULAN is also not oblivious of the lopsided tilt of our legal system. Muslim lawyers have been subjected to conform to certain practices and adorn themselves with paraphernalia like the wig and gown that have Judeo/Christian neo-colonialist origin without complain.
“MULAN has set up a nine-man committee to meet and make representations to all relevant authorities in order to ensure that the issue is justly determined.”
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Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has intervened in the ongoing controversy over the refusal of the Nigerian Law School to graduate one of its students, Amasa Firdaus.
The Punch reports that the House directed its committee on justice and judiciary to look into the issue and make appropriate recommendation on the floor of the House.
The resolution came after Honourable Abubakar Danburam-Nuhu from Kano raised a motion faulting the Law School for infringing on the fundamental rights of the lady.
He told the House that Firdaus was entitled to dress the way she liked under Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution.
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Source: Legit.ng
