Bukola Hameed
Muslim Community of Oyo State, MUSCOYS has threatened to take legal actions against schools who prevent willing Muslims from adorning hijab.
The Chairman of MUSCOYS, Alhaji Is’haq Kunl Sanni stated this at a Unity summit held at the University of Ibadan Central Mosque Conference Centre.
The Summit drew representatives from different parts of Oyo State who came to deliberate on the unity of the Ummah in the state.
Alhajji Kunle Sanni was speaking against the backdrop cases of harassment of Muslim girls and women who wear hijab in basics schools, secondary and higher institutions of learning.
Alhaji Sanni said exploring the legal options will let the issue be resolved once and for all.
Acoording to Alhaji Sanni, “What section 32:2 of the constitution says “is that a Muslim is entitled not only to freedom of religion but freedom to manifest his religion” The use of the Hijab is a manifestation of Islam.”
The Muslim leader noted that there was no state Muslim communities that has lost the case of the use of Hijab because the constitution is clear about it.
“When my friend Christopher Alao-Akala was the Governor, some Muslim teachers started using Niqob in Kishi and they were dismissed, they went to Court. The Christian judge not only adjudicated that the teachers have right to put on their Niqab as their religious right, she said their three years backlog of salaries should be paid” .
“We would Insha Allah go back to Court because we want Hijab for all women in Oyo state”.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Host and Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta, Alhaji Daud Akinola said love of one another among the Muslim Ummah was essential emphasising that the tenet of unity is love.
He explained that it has become imperative for the Muslims to look inwards for the solution to myriad of challenges facing the Ummah in Oyo State and beyond.
Chief Mustafa Bayo Oyero in his goodwill message, said unity is paramount and veritable instruments to development which Muslims urgently need at the moment.
Chief Oyero who is the Chairman of Ibadan Muslim Community said, “What the chairman, Alhaji Kunle Sanni said was the experience of over 40 years which has not changed.
“Muslims in power used Islam to nurture their own political ambition and empower their own selves.”
He added that it was hightime that the community put in place developmental agenda to advance the cause of the Ummah.
In his lecture, Sheikh Habeebullah Buhari enjoined the Ummah to hold on to the rope of Allah and shun tendencies capable of igniting conflict among the Muslims.
He said, “If you truly want unity, avoid figting each other. If you don’t listen to commandment, you will lose out. Patience is imperative as this will enhance harmony and development”.
Present at the event included Executive Secretary, Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Professor Muslih Yahya, Chief Imam, University of Ibadan, Professor Abdulrahman Oloyede, Ameerah , Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria, Dr Bushrah Oloso and representatives of various Muslim organisations in the state.