In this report for IkejaBird, KOLA ALHASSAN takes a look at the Hijab crisis in Oyun Baptist High School (OBHS) which culminated in the killing of a student during a peaceful protest which snowballed into a bloody clash.
On February 3, a student of Oyun Baptist High School(OBHS),Ijagbo,Kwara State, Habeeb Idris had his life cut short in a cruel manner. Like a rose flower in it’s mellow bloom,the innocent boy died in saddening circumstances. It was sunset before sunset for the poor boy.The 20-year-old couldn’t have bargained for this when life was about to begin for him.
A protest had ensued following the use of hijab by female Muslims in the school.The deceased was reportedly shot dead on Thursday, during the protest. It was gathered that three other students were seriously injured following a lethal attack by hoodlums who were adamant that no Muslim girl would be allowed to use hijab in the school(OBHS).
Prior to that, there had been crises in some missionary schools over wearing hijab in the state. IkejaBird learnt that the management of OBHS had since January 17 turned back students who wore hijab.
Meanwhile, the Kwara state government on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, reiterated its policy and gave a directive to management of schools in the state to allow the use of Hijab and beret. It insisted that students should not be forced to wear either of them or turn them back.
Despite all that, a protest took place.Sadly, a student fell victim of gunshot; others were injured.
However, while announcing the closure of the school that same day, February 3, the state government condemned in strong terms, discrimination against children on religious grounds. It also noted that such discrimination will not be allowed in any public-owned institution in the state.
Making it stance known on the issue, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), charged all religious groups in the country to ensure that their adherents give respect to rights to freedom of religion and worship and eschew what may lead to mayhem.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, explained that Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution and other regional and international treaties collectively supported the right to freedom of religion and worship.
He said: “It is therefore strange and smacks of intolerance to stop someone from wearing a hijab when freedom of worship has expressly been granted by the Constitution and other relevant legislation.”
Ojukwu, however warned against religious intolerance, stressing importance of peaceful coexistence. He added that right to education, right to work and right to freedom of religion, among others are inalienable.
The NHRC boss also quoted the Court of Appeal Lagos as saying in judgement: “The use of hijab was an Islamic injunction and an act of worship, hence it would constitute a violation of appellant’s rights to stop them from wearing hijab in public schools”.
He noted that the judgement would remain a point of reference in years to come,until it is probably overturned.
Meanwhile, Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has constituted a 12-member Inter-Religious Council. It comprises elder statesmen, women, and clergy extracted from the Muslim and Christian communities in the state.
The council is aimed at promoting religious interaction, understanding and harmony between the two main religious communities in the state.
It is hoped that after the tempest, warring parties in the state would sheathe their swords and call for truce. The blood of innocent students should not be spilled on the altar of religion.
