Date: 2018-01-17

The Kwara state chapter of the Council of Muslim Organisations (CMO) on Tuesday demanded that Firdaus Amasa who was denied induction by the Nigerian Law School be called to bar without further delay.

The religious body described as illegal, the decision of the Nigerian Law School barring the Muslim Law graduate from being inducted merely for wearing hijab.

It would be recalled that the female Law graduate, Firdauz Amasa, a graduate of the University of Ilorin and an indigene of Kwara state was not called to Bar by the Nigerian Law School for her insistence on wearing veil (hijab) during the induction ceremony on December 13, 2017 in Abuja.

Addressing a news conference in Ilorin yesterday, the CMO's coordinator and former Grand Khadi of Kwara state, Justice Idris Haroon said that the lady was denied her induction on account of her resoluteness to exercise her religious rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.

The apex Muslim organisationsaid that the provision to wear hijab must be inserted in the Code of Conduct book of the Nigerian law School, the Nigerian Defence Academy, all para military formations and other national agencies which deny female Muslims from wearing hijab, based on section 38 of the Nigerian Constitution.

"Hijab is a living component of the dress code of the Muslim lady/woman. Hijab dignifies her status and distinguishes her from commoners, protects her and elevates her. It is her religious identity. Allah orders her to wear the hijab. So, it is a divine instruction. Qur'an 24:31

"Bound by all times-honoured principle if judicial precedents, High Courts, and in particular, the Court of Appeal, have consistently upheld and unanimously affirmed the decision on the use of the Islamically prescribed head cover (the hijab) by the female Muslim students. The judgements should be respected and held sacrosanct by the Nigerian law School and Council of Legal Education in Nigeria. The Body of Benchers stop harassing female Muslim law graduates on account of wearing hijab", he said.

The organization, which commended resoluteness and courage of the lady involved in the drama to defend sanctity of hijab in the alleged face of intimidation and molestation, described her as heroine of hijab and symbol of sacrifice.

On the new year's eve mayhem in Ilorin, the state capital, the group praised the state governor, Alh Abdulfatah Ahmed and the Emir of Ilorin, Alh Ibrahim Sulu- Gambari for their quick intervention, which according to it circumvent the crisis from snowballing into a religious issue.

It also thanked the state police command for its quick response and timely clarification that the crisis was perpetrated by a group of unguarded youths whose leaders of Taiwo Isale community had prevented from holding a carnival party in the area. The CMO, however enjoined leaders of various religious groups in the state to always verify information in their disposal before running to the press, saying that the statement credited to the chairman of the Christians Association in the state, Prof. Timothy Opoola on the crisis did not reflect the true picture of what led to the crisis as well as the identity of the perpetrators.

The CMO suggested that the state government should organise an interfaith and community relations conference to entrench peace and sustainable development.

On the raging issue of female circumcision and female genital mutilation in the state, the group said that female circumcision is a religious practice endorsed by Prophet Muhammad, adding that it should be differentiated from female genital mutilation.