Hijab Controversy: Christians, Muslims In Violent Clash, As Kwara Govt Reopens Schools

Violence erupted on Wednesday in Ilorin, Kwara State capital
after the state government reopened 10 schools shut last month over
the use of hijab by Muslim female students.

The violence started after Christian officials of Baptist
School, Surulere disallowed the girls in Hijab from gaining access
into the school.

This did not go down well with Muslim parents, leading to
arguments and eventual clash.

The situation grew worse as angry Christian and Muslim faithful
threw various objects including stones and plastic chairs at
themselves.

The security operatives close to the school had to call for
reinforcement to calm the situation. The operatives dispersed them
with tear gas.

The hijab controversy started over three weeks ago when
officials of Saint Anthony Secondary School prevented Muslim female
students from gaining entrance to the school claiming that it is a
missionary school.

Several meetings were held between Muslim and Christian leaders
to resolve the issue with the government temporarily closing down
the ten schools until the reopening on Wednesday morning.

The ownership of the ten schools is still pending in the Supreme
Court as both the High Court and Appeal Court affirmed the state
government as the owner.

The Christians angered by the situation said the government
should wait for the outcome of the judgement of the Supreme Court
before fully taking over the schools.

The Kwara state government has taken over all the missionary
schools owned by Christian and Muslims since 1974.

The school reopening was announced on Tuesday night by the
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Capital
Development, Kemi Adeosun.

Mrs Adeosun said, “The government is convinced that its policy
to allow willing Muslim schoolgirls to wear their hijab (face
covering) in public schools will lead to sustainable peace and
communal harmony anchored on mutual respect and understanding.

“This path to mutual respect, understanding, and peace with
regards to hijaab had long been adopted in all of the northern
Nigeria and many states in the Southwest such as Lagos, Osun,
Ekiti, and Oyo States.

“As the students resume normal classes, the government took
special notice of the plight of those of them preparing for the
West African Senior School Certificate Examination and hereby
directs affected schools to hold at least two-hour extra lesson for
all the intending candidates after school hours daily.”

The Kwara State government had earlier in February shut 10
grant-aided schools as the controversy surrounding the use of the
head covering was yet abated.

Violence erupted on Wednesday in Ilorin, Kwara State capital
after the state government reopened 10 schools shut last month over
the use of hijab by Muslim female students.

The violence started after Christian officials of Baptist
School, Surulere disallowed the girls in Hijab from gaining access
into the school.

This did not go down well with Muslim parents, leading to
arguments and eventual clash.

The situation grew worse as angry Christian and Muslim faithful
threw various objects including stones and plastic chairs at
themselves.

The security operatives close to the school had to call for
reinforcement to calm the situation. The operatives dispersed them
with tear gas.

The hijab controversy started over three weeks ago when
officials of Saint Anthony Secondary School prevented Muslim female
students from gaining entrance to the school claiming that it is a
missionary school.

Several meetings were held between Muslim and Christian leaders
to resolve the issue with the government temporarily closing down
the ten schools until the reopening on Wednesday morning.

The ownership of the ten schools is still pending in the Supreme
Court as both the High Court and Appeal Court affirmed the state
government as the owner.

The Christians angered by the situation said the government
should wait for the outcome of the judgement of the Supreme Court
before fully taking over the schools.

The Kwara state government has taken over all the missionary
schools owned by Christian and Muslims since 1974.

The school reopening was announced on Tuesday night by the
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Capital
Development, Kemi Adeosun.

Mrs Adeosun said, “The government is convinced that its policy
to allow willing Muslim schoolgirls to wear their hijab (face
covering) in public schools will lead to sustainable peace and
communal harmony anchored on mutual respect and understanding.

“This path to mutual respect, understanding, and peace with
regards to hijaab had long been adopted in all of the northern
Nigeria and many states in the Southwest such as Lagos, Osun,
Ekiti, and Oyo States.

“As the students resume normal classes, the government took
special notice of the plight of those of them preparing for the
West African Senior School Certificate Examination and hereby
directs affected schools to hold at least two-hour extra lesson for
all the intending candidates after school hours daily.”

The Kwara State government had earlier in February shut 10
grant-aided schools as the controversy surrounding the use of the
head covering was yet abated.