Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), a religious NGO, on Tuesday called on feminine liberation groups, the National Assembly and the National Human Rights Commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding the recent controversy on the hijab.
“The saga must be seen beyond religion. It is about human rights. Her university found her worthy in character and learning, only for the Law School to deny her being called-to-Bar,’’ the MURIC Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, said at a news conference in Lagos.
Akintola also urged the Body of Benchers and the Council of Legal Education and other stakeholders to the find a peaceful solution to the issue.
Firdaus Amasa Abdulsalaam, a graduate of the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, was barred from the Call-to-Bar ceremony of the Nigerian Law School at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on Dec. 13, because she wore a hijab as part of the dress code.
Akintola, who described the act as “deplorable, reprehensible and preposterous,’’ said that the Nigerian Law School ought to have taken into consideration the dignity of other stakeholders before coming to a decision on the issue, particularly in an institution that trains professionals to respect human dignity.
“There are claims that the Law School has a certain set of rules and a dress code. We are aware that every institution tries to moderate the behavioral pattern of its staff or students by setting up its rules and regulations, and the Nigerian Law School cannot be an exception.
“Such rules become null and void and of no effect the moment they contradict any section of the Nigerian Constitution. The Nigerian Law School may have acted ultra vires, if its rules forbid the use of the hijab in the institution or during the call-to-bar ceremony.
“Section 38 (1) and (2) of the 2011 (as amended) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria states that every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion,’’ he said.