Hijab in School: Students Protest as Court Fixes Date to Hear Case

Justice Olubunmi Oyewole, of an Ikeja High Court has fixed July 10, 2013, for further hearing of an out-of-court settlement brought before him over the lingering crisis between the Lagos State Government and the Muslim Students Society, MSS over the ban of Hijab in public schools in Lagos State.

The decision of the court was sequel to the request by the Lagos State counsel, Muniru Ajanaku who prayed the court to adjourned the matter on the ground that the state believe that the matter can be resolved out-of-court.

The lead counsel for the students, Taiwo Hassan Fajimite said it is unfortunate that the state has not responded on the case until now, but that the Muslim community is willing to meet the state government and consider the terms and conditions being offered on the way out.

The Muslim students who thronged the court to witness the proceedings, took to the streets to protest and to register their displeasure over the decision by the Lagos State Government to ban the use of Hijab by female Muslim students in public schools.

The students led by Muslim teachers and some clerics, carried different placards with inscriptions such as, "Hijab is our right, it must be respected, "Fashola, to be forewarned is to be forearmed, "Lagos State Government, stop discrimination of our female students" etc.

The students promised to continue their protest as well as exploring every available legal means to ensure the rights of Muslim students to wear Hijab in public schools is protected.

However, some stern looking policemen immediately mobilized to the scene to avoid miscreants from hijacking the rally.

The female students who wore Hijab on their various uniforms vowed to continue wearing their Hijab to school, until the court decides it's legality or otherwise.

In his short ruling on the application by government counsel, Justice Oyewole urged both parties to explore the dialogue option and report back to the court in the next adjourned date.

He therefore adjourned further hearing to July 10, 2013.



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