By Monsur Olowoopejo

As Nigerians last Sunday, February 1st, joined the rest of the world to celebrate the 2015 World Hijab Day, WHiD, Muslim Public Affairs Centre, MPAC has called on Nigerians to desist from persecuting Muslim women and girls because they wear hijab, saying “rather, treat them with courtesy.”

This year’s anniversary marked the third, since the inaugural celebration in 2013 by the founder, Nazma Khan, to demand the right of woman to wear Hijab. Meanwhile, the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, MSSN has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC not to be partial in the conduct of the elections.

The Lagos State Area Unit of the group made the statement on February 14 polls during their annual conference, themed ‘Setting The Agenda,’ held at the FESTAC Town, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government, Lagos recently. Amir of MSSN Lagos State Area Unit, Abdur Rashyd Aliu said “we reiterate that INEC should maintain neutrality in the upcoming general elections,” adding that their impartiality was key to achieving free and fair elections.

However, MPAC through its Lagos coordinator, Sister Aminat Adams after a peace walk to mark this year Hijab day, said that Federal and State government should promulgate laws for the use of hijab in schools. According to her, “Once you are wearing Hijab, there is a lot of responsibility people demand from you. She is hoisting the flag of Islam. And this makes anyone that sees you understand that such person is a Muslim. This also demands that someone wearing Hijab should be more cultured.”

She argued that wearing Hijab “is a symbol that requires one to be organize, censor her speech and movement because wearing Hijab is a way of obeying the commandment of Allah.” Inspite of all these and the 1999 constitution which guarantee freedom of religion and expression, Adams lamented that women and girls who put on Hijab were still subjected to victimization.