Hundreds of Muslim women led by the leadership of the Hijab Rights Advocacy Initiative have embarked on a walk to enlighten members of the public on the benefits of the use of Hijab among women and growing young female child.
The walk which kicked off from the Allen roundabouts in Ikeja and terminated at Alausa Secretariat Mosque was also in commemoration of this year’s World Hijab Day marked every February 1.
While addressing the gathering, the Executive Director, Hijab Rights Advocacy Initiative, Hajia Mutiat Balogun-Orolu said it was to educate the people on the huge benefits in the use of Hijab and the misconception in some areas.
She explained that the wearing of Hijab among Muslim women was an injuction from Allah which is also backed by the Hadith of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (May the Blessings of Allah be upon him) and some section of the nation’s constitution.
Hajia Mutiat Balogun-Orolu said that it was high time the society do away with some misconception on the use of Hijab which includes religious extremism and lack of quality education.
She reiterated the need for government offices both federal and state, companies, public facilities and schools to respect the rights of Muslim women to freely wear their Hijab without any intimidation or harassment.
The leader of the advocacy group commended the resilience of Muslim women who still comply with the wearing of Hijab despite the enormous challenges that confronts them in the country.
Hajia Mutiat Orolu-Balogun lamented that high level of moral decadence and social vices in the country was largely due to neglects of the religious dicttaes
The theme for this year’s celebration is Veiled in Strength.
Some of the Islamic groups and bodies that participated in the enlightenment walk includes;
1.Hijab Rights Advocacy Initiative
2. Nasrullahi Fathi Society (NASFAT)
3. Pure Heart Islamic Foundation
4. Al-Muminaat Organisation Lagos
5. MSSN Lagos State Area unit
6. An Nujabau Female Forum
7. Izharul Haq Movement of Nigeria
8. FOMWAN Lagos
9. The Criterion Lagos District
10. International Muslim Women Union (IMWU)
11. Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN)
12. Lagos Secretariat Community Central Mosque
13. Muslim Public Affairs Center MPAC
14. Akhwaat Muslimat Organization, Lagos.
15. Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
16. Guild of Muslim Professionals
17. Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria
18. Pristine Cactus Foundation
Also speaking on behalf of NASFAT, Alhaja Suwebat Kupolati called on the Director General of the National Identification Management Commission, Abisoye Coker-Odusote to educate her staff in ensuring that the rights of Muslim women are not violated in the process of registering for the exercise.
She said that the group had been inundated with several reports on the infringement of rights, harassment and denial of Muslim women on Hijab from participating in the exercise.
said it was sad that some students on Hijab encountered difficulties in registering for WAEC and other examinations when they are forced to remove their Hijab to capture their faces during registration.
She also called on the Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun to look into the widespread violation and abuse of the rights of Muslim students in both private and public schools across the state.
She commended the Director of Lagos State Fire Service, Magareth Adeseye and the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Mudashiru Obasa for their intervention and compliance with the use of Hijab in areas within their jurisdiction.
