Group flays alleged discrimination against Muslim women over hijab

A group, Al-Mu’minaat Organisation, has alleged discrimination against Muslim women over the use of hijab. The group urged the Federal Government to protect the rights of the Muslim ladies to wear the head cover in all facets of life.

Al-Mu’minaat (the believing women) also called for a legislation to punish those who abuse their rights to wear hijab. Its National President, Hajia Nimatullah AbdulQadri, made the appeal during the group’s annual briefing.

The theme of the gathering, which was to commemorate the world hijab day, was titled: “My hijab, my right.”

AbdulQadri said the appeal became necessary, following alleged ridicule and associated oppression being faced by the users of the head cover.

She said Muslim women across the country have the religious and constitutional rights to use hijab.

The president cited the denial of girls’ rights to wear hijab to school, insistence by some institutions that the ears of Hijabis must be exposed during data capture, and Amasa Firdaus’s denial at her call-to-bar event.

She dismissed the notion that the wearing of hijab by Muslim women is the culture of Arabs, or a fashion accessory that one could discard at will.

“It is a religious duty, an obligation on every Muslim woman in the observance of her faith.

She urged the Supreme Court to expedite action on the appeal by the Lagos State government on the constitutionality of wearing hijab in schools.