Survey opposes use of hijab in public schools

Majority of online voters have said ‘No’ to the question on whether pupils should be allowed to wear hijab in public schools or not.

 

The question was posted on website following a series of protests over the punishment reportedly meted on a pupil for wearing hijab, a head scarf worn by female Muslims.

 

Muslim students, under the aegis of Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit, had on Thursday protested the punishment of two pupils in Lagos by their principals.

 

The Principal of Kadara Junior Grammar School, Ebute Meta, Mrs. E.C Ukpaka, had allegedly flogged Aisha Alabi because she wore hijab on the school premises.

 

Also, the Principal of Mafoluku Senior Grammar School, Elizabeth Omidele, was accused of harassing Barira by telling her to pull off her hijab outside the school premises.

 

The protesters, who reportedly turned the office of the Lagos State Governor into a praying centre, insisted on seeing Governor Babatunde Fashola before they would end the protest

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A total of 518 online users responded to the question-Should pupils be allowed to wear hijab to public schools? Out of this figure, 274 votes out of the total 518, representing 53 per cent of online voters, said ‘No’ to the question, while 235 voters, representing 43 per cent of the voters, said ‘Yes.’ However, nine voters, representing two per cent of the total votes cast, were undecided.

 

Meanwhile, MSSN, Lagos State Area Unit, under the aegis of its Council of Higher Institutions, has asked the state government not to renege on its promise of investigating the hijab crisis.

 

Addressing a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday, Assistant General, COHI, Mallam Sulaiman Dhikrillah, said the group’s demands were the sacking of the principal of a school that suspended a Muslim pupil putting on hijab; the reinstatement of the pupil; and that victimisation and maltreatment of members should be stopped.