Bill to institutionalize use of hijab scales second reading in House of Reps

A bill to institutionalize the use of hijab has passed second reading in the House of Reps.

The bill was sponsored by the Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Finance and Member representing Bida/Gbako/ Katcha Federal Constituency, Saidu Musa Abdullahi.

The bill “Religious Discrimination (Prohibition, Prevention) Bill, 2021” is seeking to provide a mechanism for enforcing certain provisions of the 1999 Constitution and other international laws that recognize the right of females to use hijab in both public and private establishments in Nigeria.

Leading the debate at the plenary, Saidu declared that the issue of religious discrimination was one of the most prevalent menaces in the country that hindered national peace, unity and

titled development.

The lawmaker gave instances where some citizens lose their jobs/ employment opportunities, or were even outrightly hindered from having access to healthcare, education, finance and employment because of their religious beliefs.

He said: “In October 2016, a qualified radiographer, Hawawu Saliu Olatunji, was disallowed from partaking in a job interview by the former Chief Medical Director (CMD) of one of the federal medical centers in Nigeria on the ground that she wore a hijab.

“Also, on 17th December 2017, Amasa Firdaus was barred from being called to the Nigerian bar only because she adorned a hijab. It took the intervention of the National Assembly and intense advocacy from civil society organizations before she was eventually called to the Bar.