As Muslim faithful celebrated World Hijab Day across the globe yesterday, a coalition of Muslim women groups, under the aegis of Hijab Rights Advocacy Initiative, has urged all regulatory authorities in the country to uphold the provisions of the Constitution and ensure that Hijab-wearing Muslim women are not harassed or discriminated against in the society.
The groups, comprising Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (Lagos State Area Unit), Hijab Rights Advocacy Initiative; Nasrul-lahi-li Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN Lagos), among others, said that hijab (female Muslim head-gear) was not a fashion item or a cultural garb that might be dispensed with informal or official gatherings or institutions.
The group’s Co-ordinator & Convener, Hijab Rights Advocacy Initiative, Hajia Mutiat Orolu-Balogun, said: “Hijab is an inalienable right of every Muslim woman as entrenched in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The Hijab is compulsory for every Muslim woman and thus is not a fashion item or a cultural garb that may be dispensed with informal or official gatherings or institutions.
“All regulatory authorities and corporate bodies that are not registered religious organisations should prevent their members of staff and agents from discriminating against Hijab-wearing Muslim women or refusing their services.
