The Osun state hijab crisis has further deepened as Muslim clerics on Monday, stormed public schools to ensure that hijab wearing female students are allowed into school premises, the Punch reports.
The clerics are said to have gone to St. Charles’ High School and Ife Oluwa Middle School early on Monday morning but were barred by teachers who explained to them that they were yet to receive directives on hijab wearing from the Ministry of Education.
The teachers noted that hijab cannot be worn unless the education ministry sanctions it. The Muslim clerics, thereafter, left the schools.
Speaking on the issue, the principal of ST. Charles High School, Anthony Famoriyo, said, “Some Muslims came this morning and said they wanted to enforce the use of hijab. We explained to them that we will allow our students to wear hijab whenever we get instruction from the state government to do so.”
“You know that everything we do in schools follows procedure, what you teach, the way you teach. We are not against any group. We are here to teach our children and that is our mission.”
The school premises was calm even as operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were subsequently deployed there.
The state governor, Rauf Aregbesola, while speaking at an education round-table, has expressed sadness over the hijab issue.
“Let me say this there is no official pronouncement on hijab. I have not ordered the use of hijab in schools and I challenge them to bring evidence.”
“It might interest you that my wife does not use hijab, my daughter does not use hijab. So, I did not order the use of hijab. My view on Islam is why I am suffering unmerited persecution. My crime is that I struggle to be a good Muslim and not because I hurt anybody.”
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