Hijab controversy: 10 schools to remain shut, says Kwara

Ten schools affected by a fresh Hijab controversy are to remain shut as the Kwara state government consults with stakeholders on the use of Muslim headgear in schools.

Mamman Jibril, the secretary to the state government, broke the news in a statement to NAN in Ilorin on Monday.

He said the decision is to avert any breakdown of law and order while the government concludes the consultations.

Jibril also urged members of the public to remain calm and peaceful in order to prevent further misunderstanding.

“Official pronouncement of government’s position is likely this week,” the state government secretary explained.

“The government urges parents, officials, and authorities at the affected schools to maintain peace and avoid making comments or doing anything that could cause further misunderstanding and heat up the polity.”

In 2018, the Lagos government had given a go-ahead to Muslim female pupils to use hijab in public schools after an appeal court noted that the ban on using the headgear was discriminatory against Muslim pupils in the state.

Similarly, in 2019, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) approved a white shoulder-length hijab for female corps members who practice the Muslim code of wearing the veil. It stated that this was for religious purposes.