The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has condemned continuous ‘harassment’ of Muslim students and professionals on hijab, warning that any one found guilty of such act will henceforth face the wrath of the law.
The NSCIA President, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, in a statement signed on his behalf by Deputy Secretary-General, Prof. Salisu Shehu, said he was appalled by the odious stench of religious bigotry and intolerance oozing out from the academic precincts of the premier University of Ibadan – International School, Ibadan (ISI).
He said: “The incident of Thursday, November 15, 2018 will not be forgotten by the 120 million Muslims in Nigeria. To wit, how would anyone calling herself a principal in the 21st century have the audacity of shutting innocent Muslim students out of school just for the “offence” of wearing small head-carves called hijab? What type of education did Mrs. Phebean Olowe receive that would make her commit such infamy? Why must Muslims always fight before they are granted their rights as constitutionally guaranteed?
Mrs. Olowe could not be reached for comment yesterday, as several phone calls put across to her were not picked and no response to the text message enquiry.
The NSCIA, however, demanded that the principal of ISI be sanctioned for dragging the name of the school in the mire and trampling on the rights of her students.In another development, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has sought for improved facilities across international airports in the country to reduce challenges most encountered by pilgrims during hajj operations.
Besides, the commission said Muslim pilgrims should be accorded better treatment equal that of international passengers.Chairman of NAHCON, Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad, who spoke when he paid a courtesy call on the management of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in Abuja, urged the manager of the airports in the country to consider creating temporary areas for medical emergency services at the airports for quick response to medical exigencies.
-GUARDIAN-
