WHD: HRAI, Pristine Cactus Foundation, others, Demand Equal Right, Condemn Discrimination Against Hijab

…  Hold Rally To Sensitive People On Hijab 

Hijab Right Advocacy Initiative, HRAI, Pristine Cactus Foundation,  PCF, FOMWAN, Criterion,  NASFAT and other coalition of Islamic groups, all over the country, have called on Nigerians to respect the rules of Allah regarding the wearing of hijab by female Muslims as well as condemned discrimination against women in hijab, saying that prejudice against women in veil is not only unconstitutional but also antithetical to the development of the country.
Speaking on behalf of others during a press conference to mark this year WHD, the Executive Director, HRAI, Barrister Mutiat Orolu-Balogun talked about the theme for this years event which is ‘Unity in diversity’.
“We are all here from various groups and organisations so as to indicate our unity and commitment to obeying the rules of our creator, almighty Allah, the Most-High and our readiness to defend our God-given rights to practice our religion without threat or molestation.”
According  to her, despite court rulings on the right of women to use hijab, women in hijab arèe still being treated unlawfully because of the hijab whenever they want to obtain international passport, National I D Card, and even during WAEC and UTME registration.
Among activities lined-up to commemorate the world hijab day are: Hijab story, walk for hijab, Jumat service, lectures for children on the significance of wearing hijab, etc.
Dr. Fatimah Habeeb-Adeyemi of Pristine  Cactus Foundation called on all young ones to obey the rules of Allah and always aim to  reach the peak of their career, be of great value in every situation they find themselves as they adorned their Hijab. 

All the associations involved  in the Hijab struggle concurred that the promotion of girl child education can only be achieved if the girls in Hijab are not harrassed or molested because of Hijab.

Over a dozen Muslim organizations, including: Hijab Rights  Advocacy Initiative,  HRAI, Pristine Cactus Foundation, PCF, International Muslim Women Union IMWU, Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, MSSN, Lagos State Area Unit, Nasru-lahi-Fathi Society, NASFAT, Lagos, Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, Federation of Muslim Women Associations of Nigeria (FOMWAN) Lagos, among others put heads together to achieve a set goal of allowing Hijab to be.

Balogun said it is high time Nigerians stopped needless discrimination against women on the basis of Hijab, adding that women and girls in Hijab have excelled in all professions, proving to the world that they are capable.

“Give this a thought,  a girl that was forced to remove her Hijab in order to write an exam will definitely not perform optimally reducing the chance of getting further education, despite our claims of promoting the education of the girl child. A researcher screened out of a job placement because of the Hijab may be the one in whose mind is trapped the cure for cancer.
“The Muslim nurse who had to change her profession because she was not allowed to wear her Hijab, may be just the person you need to get you through your hard time in hospital! Denying people their rights not only affects them, but affects us all!
“What Muslim women want is simple, we want to secure our rights as provided by the Constitution,” she said.
They appealed to various Federal Government agencies, states, local  authorities and private  companies to ensure that women in Hijab are given equal opportunity and not treated unjustly on the basis of their appearance, saying that women in Hijab have the capacity to perform excellently in their callings.
“We want to be allowed to carry out our duties and contribute to our society without experiencing discrimination. We want our daughters to be able to attend schools, register and write exams in their Hijab without intimidation, abuse and discrimination.
She added that if any government policy, its institution or agencies ban/disallow the Hijab, then it is in flagrant disregard of constitutional provisions.

“It’s our right to wear Hijab and nobody should disturb that.” All the groups concluded.  Every 1st of February has been set aside worldwide to create awareness on essence  of Hijab use.