Al-Mu’minaat praises Lagos for prompt salary payment

The National Amirah, Al-Mu’minaat (The Believing Women) Organisation has hailed the Lagos State Government for the prompt payment of salary and pension.

Its National Amirah (President) Hajia Nimatullah Abdullateef, at the ongoing 22nd National Convention holding at Vanguards Academy, Odosengolu, Ogun State, said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led government has done well in the aspect of welfare of the workers.

Hajia Abdullateef urged other states to emulate the laudable act.

“The federal government should also intensify its effort in the area of welfarism for the citizens. If our economy is buoyant and there is regular power supply, Nigerians would have no cause to travel abroad in search of greener pasture. The case of human trafficking in Libya is still fresh in our memories. It is indeed a disgrace to humanity in the 21st Century to still engage in slavery for economic gains,” she said.

Hajia Abdullateef called on Council for Legal Education in Nigeria and all other legal bodies to respect Muslim women’s right to religious beliefs and expression and henceforth stop any harassment of Muslim sister in Hijab in the law school, during graduation and Call to Bar.

All over the world, she said, the hijab has been recognised as the code of dressing for a Muslim woman.

“Why the bodies hitherto responsible for defending the law must be flouting it,” she wondered, adding “the disdain with which Muslim sisters are treated in this country got northwards at the most recent call to bar, when our sister Firdaus Amasa was refused entry into the venue. The reason for this refusal was the hijab covering her head. Al-Mu’minaat like other peace-loving Nigerians sees this as an affront on the Muslims and their rights as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.

“We thus condemn this action and demand that Firdaus Amasa be immediately ‘Call to Bar.’ Amasa Firdaus, the heroine, has sacrificed for all Muslim sisters to be given their constitutional rights especially as regards Call to Bar in their hijab.

“Such ceremonies in other climes, gives recognition to hijab. The hijab is a sacred and core part of the religion of Islam, and it is a sacrosanct part of the life of a Muslim woman. It has been ordained upon a Muslim woman by Allah as a symbol of dignity, honour, respect, prestige as well as a right, form of worship and obedience to the almighty Allah.

“Nigeria is recognised as a multi-religious, multi-cultural nation. Why must a particular religion, Islam be treated with disdain every time?

We are proud to be associated with Firdaus Amasa as she has stood for what Islam stands for – peace, truth, justice and fairness.

“We use this medium to call on the Nigerian government to make a proclamation against the harassment of Muslim sisters in various agencies including the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), foreign embassies; British and American passport offices, or at any form of data capturing.

We implore all Muslims to remain calm and not resort to violence. For violence breeds no good.”