Christian Association of Nigeria in Kwara State, North Central, Nigeria has insisted that it will not allow its pupils to wear hijab, despite the State Government directive that Muslim female pupils in Christian mission schools should wear hijab.
The state government, had approved wearing of hijab by Muslim female pupils in Christian mission grant-aided schools in the state.
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It also said the 10 Christian mission Schools shuts in the wake of the hijab crisis should be reopened on Monday, March 8.
The Chairman, ECWA Ilorin District Church Council, Rev John Owoeye, in a statement said they would not allow the wearing of hijab in their respective schools when the schools reopen on Monday.
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The statement read in part:
“The body condemns the use of hijab in Christian missions grant-aided schools as this will cause discrimination in schools and allow terrorists to easily identify our children and wards.
“We have equal rights under the provisional constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Similarly, we want the government to be informed that her decision and plan to provide hijab and enforce its use in our Christian mission grant-aided schools will not be tolerated as it is an infringement on our freedom of religion as enshrined in the constitution of Nigeria.
“The state government was wrongly advised to take that decision. The state even acted in contempt of court as the case is still pending before the Supreme Court.
“We want to warn the government that the step it wants to take by approving the use of hijab for all public schools and grant-aided schools in the state will lead to an avalanche of reactions, the end of which no one can predict.
“With this move, the state government is saying the Muslims’ purported rights are superior to those of the Christians.
“What we are saying is that no one, whether the Kwara State Government or even the Federal Government, can force hijab on our children or in our schools. We shall not hesitate to use all legitimate means to protect our heritage. We will defend our faith and protect our property.”
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