WAEC Capturing: MSSN Raises Alarm Over Alleged Harassment Of Hijab-Wearing Students In Ogun
The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Ifo/Ota Area Council, Ogun State, has raised the alarm over the alleged harassment and intimidation of female Muslim students wearing hijab during the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) biometric capturing and other school activities.
The society alleged that some Muslim female students in public schools and examination centres were being compelled to remove their hijab for biometric capturing, with some reportedly threatened that refusal to comply could adversely affect their examination results.
In a statement issued by its Amir, Engr. Sulaimon Gbola Akinjobi, the MSSN described the alleged incidents as acts of religious intolerance and provocation, warning that such practices could undermine peaceful coexistence and violate the constitutional rights of Muslim students.
The society said it had received reports of incidents in which students were allegedly subjected to pressure to remove their hijab despite their objections.
It maintained that the alleged directive was not part of the requirements of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), insisting that Muslim students should not be forced to abandon their religious dress as a condition for biometric capturing or participation in other academic activities.
The MSSN further recalled the June 2022 Supreme Court judgment affirming the right of Muslim female students to wear hijab in public schools, arguing that the decision had settled the legality of the practice.
According to the statement, the society had contacted the Zonal Officer (ZO) following the complaints, adding that the officer reaffirmed that no student should be compelled to remove her hijab.
It said the Zonal Officer also directed that consultants and school personnel involved in the capturing exercise should accommodate students who wished to observe the Islamic dress requirement.
Consequently, the MSSN urged school principals to ensure that no Muslim female student was forced to remove her hijab during biometric capturing or any other school activity.
It also called on school authorities to properly brief consultants and other personnel to prevent further incidents of alleged harassment and intimidation.
The organisation appealed to Muslim students to remain calm and avoid actions capable of disrupting academic activities, urging them to continue to demonstrate discipline, modesty and peaceful conduct despite the reported challenges.
While calling on traditional rulers, government officials and other relevant stakeholders to intervene, the society urged authorities to monitor the activities of individuals allegedly promoting religious intolerance and actions capable of triggering avoidable crises.
The MSSN stressed that hijab was a religious obligation for Muslim women, as prescribed in the Qur’an, adding that Muslims did not seek to impose their religious beliefs on people of other faiths.
It also called for mutual respect and religious tolerance, noting that peaceful coexistence in Southern Nigeria required understanding and reciprocal respect for the religious convictions of all communities.
The statement added that the Ifo/Ota Area Council remained open to dialogue and collaboration with relevant authorities, while pledging its commitment to justice, decency and peaceful coexistence.
The society copied the statement to the MSSN Ogun Area Unit, the Ogun State Commissioner for Education and the Commissioner of Police in the state.
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