31st January, 2018
The Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) has called for tolerance and understanding from non-Muslims, who detest Muslim women adorning hijab, which was in manifestation of her religious rights.
The National President of MMPN, Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Balogun, made the call in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja to mark 2018 World Hijab Day (WHD) slated for Feb.1.
Balogun said that the call became necessary because many Muslim ladies were being subjected to ridicules, intimidation, harassment, and beating by intolerant colleagues, bosses and neighbours because of they wear Hijab.
He explained that World Hijab Day should not be seen as a celebration but a commemoration to show that wearing hijab was beyond culture or mere head scarf.
The national president added that wearing hijab was an injunction to the believing Muslim woman and in fulfillment of her fundamental rights of religion.
Quoting relevant injunctions from the Quran, Balogun stressed that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in section 38 sub-section 1 as amended guaranteed that every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
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“We felicitate with Muslims and Non-Muslims all over the world on the occasion of 2018 World Hijab Day (WHD) slated for Feb. 1.
“We reiterate our support for the WHD 2018 with the theme: My Hijab! My Right! And for any woman, who chooses to adorn it in line with her God-given right.
“It is a global practice and fundamental human rights as enshrined in the constitution of Nigeria to do so without any hindrance or molestation.
“How does wearing hijab infringe on anybody’s right in Nigeria? So tolerance and understanding is the watch word,” he said.
Balogun also declared the support of MMPN for Miss Firdaus Amasa and her colleague Miss Aisha Zubair, who were denied call to bar in Dec. 2017 because Firdausi wore Hijab.
The national president insisted that there must be justice for them and others, who were discriminated against because of wearing hijab.
He, however, commended the courage of the House of Representatives for instituting a public hearing into the matter on Feb. 6.
Balogun implored all stakeholders, who believe in equity, justice and fairness to attend and share their perspectives.