MUSLIM Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) officials have warned President Muhammadu Buhari not to introduce a hijab ban in the country as part of his anti-terrorist measures aimed at combating the menace of Boko Haram suicide bombings.
Earlier this year, President Buhari said his government is considering banning the wearing of hijabs as Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic have done, to address the problem of suicide bombers concealing weapons in them. However, the Lagos State chapter of the MSSN has warned that this would be an attack on Islam.
Speaking yesterday at the December Islamic Vacation Course holding in Epe, in Lagos State, Mallam Saheed Ashafa, the president of the chapter, said such consideration would ridicule the war against Boko Haram, adding it was an unnecessary approach. According to Mallam Ashafa, ban on hijabs would mean that Boko Haram has succeeded in their deceptive ideology and may strengthen their unjustifiable zeal to kill innocent peoples.
Mallam Ashafa added: “The statement by President Buhari is disappointing as it is an indication that the present administration is trying to apply the faulty approach of the last administration that took us nowhere. Banning hijabs is wrong, biased and the greatest approach that can drown the support and popularity of the Buhari government.
“The decision to ban hijab may mean that Boko Haram has succeeded in their mission. It is known to everyone that hijab is worn by Muslims and a ban on the religious garment is an attack on Islam."
He added that if a hijab ban must be considered, then the government has to also ban use of vehicles, hand bags, cell phones, motorcycle and suits because more evils have been perpetuated through them. According to Mallam Ashafa, it is totally illogical to attach Boko Haram attacks to a dress code or pattern.
"Our hijab is a garment of honour and it is an apparel of modesty and an outfit commanded to be worn by Allah, so rather than ban the hijab, the government can acquire bomb detective gadgets which can detect bombs from afar. Just as it would be wrong for anyone to say that suits or vehicles should be banned because they are used to rob or assassinate and terrorise, it would also be unfair for anybody to consider hijab ban because of its wrong usage,” Mallam Ashafa added.
He, however, condemned Boko Haram and its activities its entirety but insisted that more practical approaches were needed to defeat the terrorists. He subsequently commended reports that soldiers are emerging victorious in most of their face-off with the terrorists.
Also, Muslim Rights Concern has rejected the possibility of the federal government imposing a ban on hijab. Its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said the idea was unacceptable and inappropriate as a way to address Nigeria’s security challenge.
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