UI hijab crisis: Muslims seek FG’s intervention

The Muslim Parents’ Forum of the International School, University of Ibadan and the Muslim Community in Oyo State yesterday urged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to intervene in the crisis rocking the school on the use of hijab.

Secretary General, Muslim Community of Oyo State, Sheik Ismail Busairi, at a press conference, alongside with the chairman, Muslim Parents’ Forum of the International School, Abdulrahman Balogun, said there was need for a the Federal Government, National Assembly, the state government and the authority of the University of Ibadan to intervene to avoid an escalation of the crisis.

Busari, who noted that wearing of hijab by female Muslim students is a Godgiven right enshrined in the constitution, warned that “Muslims will not allow anyone to tamper with their right unchallenged”.

Similarly, Balogun, who insisted that several letters were written to the management of the school on the issue, but there was no response, said there was a need for the government to intervene in the crisis.

Meanwhile, the Board of Governors of the school has directed the management to uphold the school’s dress code.

The chairman of the board, Professor Adeyinka Aderinto said it was resolved that “the dress code as contained in the school rules and regulations be maintained while the school management has been empowered to enforce appropriately.”

The board appealed to parents to abide by the extant rules of the school to enable the school fulfil its mandate of providing sound education to our children.

Also, the International School Ibadan Alumni Association said the controversy over wearing of hijab must be viewed from the lens of principles and governing laws of the school and not through lenses of religion.

In a mail sent to Aderinto, the president of the association, Tive Ekpere, said the uniform policy was introduced to disabuse socioeconomic inequalities, discourage segregation and minimize distraction on academic activities.