The Lagos State Government has approved the use of hijab in public secondary schools in the state.
It follows agitation by some Muslims that the head covering for women should be allowed as part of their religious obligation.
The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) had gone to court to challenge the government’s decision to ban hijab in schools and lost at the Lagos High Court.
The association appealed the case at the Appeal Court and won, but the Lagos State Government went to the Supreme Court to challenge the ruling.
With the case still at the Supreme Court, the government has approved the use of hijab in schools pending the determination of the matter.
This was contained in a circular dated November 13, 2018 with the subject “Re: Use of Hijab in Lagos Public School.”
It reads: “Since the case of the use of Hijab in Lagos State is still pending in the Supreme Court, status quo should be maintained to avoid contempt of court, that is, students should be allowed to wear Hijabs on school uniforms but same must be short, smart and neat and in colour of the school uniform (skirt).”
MSSN has commended the government for the decision.
President of the association in Lagos, Saheed Ashafa, said the circular would help to stop harassment and victimisation of female Muslim students for wearing hijab.
