Sultan Faults Harassment of Muslims Adorning Hijab

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has faulted the action of the Council of Legal Education (CLE) who last week refused a University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) Law graduate, Miss Firdaus Amosa, call to bar for refusing to remove her hijab during the Call to Bar ceremony.

The Sultan who was represented by the Wazirin of Katsina, Professor Sanni Abubakar Lugga, at the national convention of Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) with the theme: ‘Public Trust and Accountability’ in Lagos at the weekend, said: “wearing of hijab was not only an Islamic mode of dressing but a Christian mode of dressing and that it is a dressing for every decent woman. It is a dressing for any woman who wants to preserve her chastity in public.”

According to the

he further questioned why should Nigerian Muslims be molested and even denied their right? saying “Nigerian Constitution it is absolutely clear. Why should Nigerian Muslims be molested and even denied their own right? The Appeal Court ruling in Ilorin is there, the Appeal Court in Lagos and also the High Court all delivered judgments in favour of hijab.

“Justice Alooma, the former CJN, Justice Bukalchuwa and other senior justices in Nigeria wear their hijab and then the wig on top of it. The Nigeria Judicial Council (NJC), the highest body in the judiciary has not said, ‘no, they should stop’ which means the Nigerian Constitution allows the hijab, the Nigerian courts through these three judgments have allowed the hijab and the NJC through these senior judges has allowed the hijab.

“Why will a legal school refuse our sister’s induction into the judiciary simply because she is wearing hijab? Is the law school saying they are above the NJC, are they above the Nigerian Constitution, are they above these three senior courts?” he said.