MURIC TACKLES YABATECH OVER PERSECUTION OF MUSLIMS IN HIJAB - 24th October, 2008
The Rector,
Yaba College of Technology,
Yaba, Lagos .
Dear Sir,
As-Salaam Alaykum,
PERSECUTION OF FEMALE MUSLIM STUDENTS: INVITATION TO RELIGIOUS CRISIS
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) is an Islamic human rights organization whose modus operandi is based on dialogue and peaceful resolution of crisis. The motto of our organization as reflected in our letter headed paper is 'Dialogue, Not Violence'. We follow this ideal to the letter because we believe that Nigeria can only make progress in an atmosphere of peace and stability.
You cannot be unaware that there have been various religious crises in the country in the recent past. Hundreds of lives have been lost while the material loss has been unquantifiable. Although most of these riots have occurred in the North and Eastern parts of the country, there have been spill-overs from time to time. Fortunately, however, Lagos State has been peaceful.
You will agree with us that it is better to allow the peace in Lagos State to continue, being a cosmopolitan and therefore multi-religious environment. Lagos is a sensitive and volatile area that must not be allowed to go up in flames. We remind you that many of the religious crises in the North started from schools like yours.
It is on this note that we call your attention to what is currently going on in your college and which may lead to a crisis of inestimable dimension unless it is urgently nipped in the bud. Female Muslim students in the Department of Technology, Hotel and Management have been facing religious repression for the past one year on account of their hijab (scarf worn by Muslim women). They are disallowed from partaking in practicals and some other academic exercises.
We appeal to you to enthrone justice in the aforementioned department. Depriving bona fide students of access to academic exercises enjoyed by their peers is a violation of their Allah-given and fundamental human rights. This is contrary to the stipulations on human rights in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the African Charter on Human Rights as well as the United Nations (UN) Universal Declaration of Human Rights which has been adopted and proclaimed by the UN General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) since 10th December 1948.
While we do not intend to offer lessons on fairness and equal rights, we have no doubt that the College Management will appreciate the fact that Hotel Management as a discipline is not a monopoly of a particular religion nor is it a licence for licentious dressing or a forum for displaying nudity. Therefore, Muslim students who prefer to use hijab as a mark of honour for their religion should be free to do so in a multi-religious Nigeria . Muslims in Lagos State will not fold their hands while their daughters and sisters are intimidated and dehumanized on the campus of Yaba College of Technology simply because they choose modest dressing. Every necessary and legitimate step will be taken to assert the rights of every single Muslim wherever they may be.
As a public officer who is conscious of the implications of allowing religious crisis to grow in his domain, we have every reason to hope that you will waste no time in dousing tension through just measures and by giving redress and succour to the oppressed female Muslim students. We also nurse the hope that you will call overzealous, evangelizing and Muslim-hating lecturers in the Department of Technology, Hotel and Management to order. The Nigerian Constitution accommodates all faiths.
Finally, may we call your attention to a similar development in the Lagos State College of Health Technology which eventually became a court case and which was decided in favour of the hijab-wearing female students at a Lagos High Court in 2004.
Thank you.
Sincerely Yours,
Dr. Is-haq Akintola Mallam Amodu Alabi
DIRECTOR Assist. General Secretary
cc:
1. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos Police Command, Ikeja
2. The Director, State Security Services, Lagos State .
3. The Divisional Police Officer, Yaba Police Station
4. The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA)
5. Muslim Lawyers Association
6. The Muslim Students Society (MSS), Lagos Area Command
7. Human Rights Network (HURINET)
8. The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR)
|
