Abuja Muslim Forum AMF, the umbrella body for Muslim organizations in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja has condemned the violent protests that engulfed the Kwara state capital by some Christian stakeholders in Ilorin, Kwara against the use of hijab by female Muslim students in public schools originally established by Christian Missions in the State.
AMF in a statement jointly signed by its Ameer, Ustadh Luqman J. Ahmad and Secretary, Alhaji Saheed Olakunle Sanusi,noted that with the take-over of the old Mission schools by the then General Yakubu Gowon-led Government in 1975 , and compensation was awarded to the original owners by the Federal Government, the status of such schools had since changed from Mission schools to full public schools.
“We call on former owners of the old Mission schools to shun acts that promote discrimination on the basis of religion in their former schools,and follow the path of peace through dialogue, religious tolerance and rule of law”. AMF said.
AMF then called on Muslim community in the State not to join hands with persons who are hell bent to turn the state into a theatre of war.
The Forum also appealed to Christians in the State, especially Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to obey the court judgments which affirmed the rights of female Muslim students in Kwara State to use Hijab in schools and public places, if they so choose.
“The violent protests embarked upon by the Christian stakeholders run against the spirit of obedience to constituted authority and regard for the rule of law, especially the provisions of fundamental human rights which guarantee freedom of religion as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.
“We therefore sue for calm and stress that if ugly occurrences like the one at hand are not curtailed, they could jeopardize existing peaceful coexistence among residents of the State
“AMF thus urges judiciary and legal practitioners, including civil society groups, to distance themselves from the logjam as it will not stand the test of time.
“Another pathetic angle to the whole scenario is that people go to any length to justify their lopsided and bigoted views. They would cite both dead and extant laws, arguments and positions. Due to incurable sentiments, persons who are commonly referred to as “learned” and expected to be models for others in upholding the Rule of Law would be seen supporting the rule of anarchy, labouring hard to prove right persons and bodies who flout valid and contemporary statutes and decisions of the courts of law, including the Court of Appeal. Sentiments, hypocrisy, bigotry and anarchy everywhere. It is a lamentable pity!
“In our view, these happenings are supposed to open our eyes wider in Ilorin and even other Muslim dominated and or controlled enclaves that you don’t leave matters to chances. Allāh SWT says:
“إن يثقفوكم يكونو لكم أعداء و يبسطوا إلبكم أيديهم و ألسنتهم بالسوء و ودوا لو تكفرون”.
“If they have the chance of closing up on you they would manifest their enmity against you, and extend the evils of their hands (physical attacks) and tongues (disparaging statements, publications, media attack, etc) and shall prefer that you too enter into disbelief”. Q60:02
“In conclusion, we applaud the State Government for rising to the occasion promptly and disinterestedly. We ask Allāh SWT to strengthen the Ummah jointly and individually” AMF added.
