Nigerian Muslims Express Anger At Ruling Maintaining Hijab Ban

Nigerian Muslims have expressed anger at a ruling by a court in the country to maintain a ban on Hijab in public primary and secondary schools of Lagos city. The Lagos State Area Unit of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) is protesting the judgment delivered by Justice Grace Onyeabo of the Ikeja High Court. On September 17, Onyeabo, a Christian, ruled against the use of Islamic headscarves in schools, claiming that it would affect the secular nature of Lagos. The judge refused to pay heed to numerous arguments over the past two years that the Nigerian constitution and international laws guarantee the freedom of religion, thought and conscience. However, the MSSN Lagos rejected the ruling, describing it as the rape of the constitution. The MSSN Lagos says it will ask the court to put an end to the humiliation and harassment of female Muslims for wearing Hijab.