The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Tuesday protested the prejudices of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State on the enforcement of Hijab uniform in schools, including Christian Mission Schools which are not guided by Islamic injunctions. The CAN leaders protested that the blanket opposition of the use of hijab in schools reflects a sign of Islamization of Kwara State by the governor. The CAN leaders vehemently opposed the imposition of Hijab in Christian Mission schools in Kwara State, threatening legal suit against the governor.
CAN in a statement on Tuesday by the General Secretary, Joseph Bade Daramola, indicated that Governor AbdulRazaq has shown unreserved prejudice for a particular religion he identifies with, disregarding the need for patience until a court process is concluded on the issue before issuing order on enforcement of the indiscriminate use of hijab in schools across the state.
CAN declared: “It appears to be a contempt of the court because the governor is aware that there is a pending court case on this matter over which the court had earlier ruled that the status quo should be maintained.
“Is the governor now saying that he is above the law? What is going to spoil if we all wait for the court to pronounce judgement on the matter? Why this hasty action?
“We recalled that some people took laws into their hands in the state by going from school to school to be enforcing the wearing of hijab in secondary schools, including the schools owned by mission agents but are only grant-aided by the government.
“Instead of the government to caution such troublemakers and admonish them to wait for the court process to be concluded and judgement delivered. The government of Kwara State has shown its religious bias by the blanket approval of the wearing of hijab, even in Christian Mission Schools.”
CAN decried that the Kwara State government was discriminatory and divisive imposition of Hijab in schools, as well as an indication that the state government has been behind the earlier illegal enforcement of the use of hijab in Christian schools. CAN argued that the government may issue directive on its schools, but ought to respect the schools not owned by the state; warning that the governor must not undermine but respect the religious culture of the schools owned by the Christian Missions.
CAN, therefore, cautioned: “We urge the political elites to stop using their religious overzealousness in causing division in the society but rather treat all equally irrespective of religious and ethnic affiliation.
“If we would all do pilgrimage together, there must be fairness to all, mutual respect and justice. “No political leader should use his or her position to further the cause of any particular religion or ethnic group in order for peace to prevail.”