Female Muslim pupils at International School Ogbomosho defy authorities and wear hijab

NIGERIA'S ongoing religious dispute over the wearing of the Muslim headscarf known as the hijab has spread to the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology International School in Ogbomoso as female pupils there have defiantly worn them to class.

Over recent years, the hijab has been a controversial point of contention between Muslims and Christians as hardline Islamists have insisted that all female Muslim pupils must be allowed to wear them. This has led to clashes with schools where the hijab is not part of the uniform but the female pupils have worn them to school as part of their uniform.

Last year, the International School Ibadan was shut down for weeks as a dispute over the wearing of the hijab lingered. Now the disagreement has spread to neighbouring Ogbomosho as about 50 pupils of the tertiary institution’s secondary school appeared in the hijab this morning, in defiance of uniform regulations.

As a result, the school’s authorities responded swiftly with pupils either locked out of the school gate or asked to remove the unofficial items of dressing. Ibrahim Animashaun, the school principal, sued for peace, adding that the board of governors has not approved the hijab as part of the school uniform.

One supporter of the Muslim pupils said: “The story dates back to 2011, when the first request was made to the governing board of the school to allow our willing Muslim female children to use hijab as part of their school uniform in line with Islamic dictates. Since 2011, several letters of appeal have been written to the governing council, while we wait endlessly without any concrete positive response to our simple request.

“Our Muslim girls, over the period, have been using berets instead of the hijab in their own case, contrary to the Islamic dictates. Our patience, over time, as law abiding citizens, was premised on our belief that the management of the school will do the needful and give regard to the rule of law and provision of the constitution guaranteeing fundamental human rights of everybody.

“Having waited endlessly since 2011, it was decided on the 4th of January, 2019 that our willing Muslim female children should commence the use of hijab as school resumed on January 7."

However, Mr Animashaun added: "The board is looking at their letter and we are yet to communicate to them. Until we communicate with them, the status quo remains until the board approves their request. We spoke with the aggrieved parents that their letter is still with the board."