Hijab Controversy: MURIC Blames CAN For Kwara Clash

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused the Christian
Association of Nigeria (CAN) of instigating the clash between
Christians and Muslims in Kwara state.

Violence broke out between adherents of both religions in
Ilorin, the state capital, on Wednesday after the state government
reopened some schools it had shut down over controversy on
hijab.

The chaos ensued after Christian officials of the Baptist School
situated in the Surulere area of Ilorin were said to have
disallowed girls in hijab from gaining access into the school.

Reacting in a statement on Thursday, MURIC alleged that CAN
asked its members to occupy the school.

It said two courts in the state had ordered that female Muslim
students be allowed to use the hijab, and asked why CAN will not
heed the court ruling.

“CAN is to blame for all these. CAN was the one that called on
its members to occupy that school. Fortunately the ugly scene only
played out in one out of ten schools. But it is a big shame that in
21st century Kwara, CAN is turning its members against democratic
norms, against the rule of law,” he said.

“Both the Ilorin High Court and the Court of Appeal have ruled
in favour of hijab. It is therefore illegal, illegitimate, unlawful
and unconstitutional for CAN to insist that its members should not
obey the courts and that the schools should not allow female Muslim
students to use the hijab or even enter the school premises. It is
the height of lawlessness.

“We assert that CAN should be held responsible for whatever
happens in those schools.”

MURIC warned the state government “against compromising its
authority over this issue”.

It called on stakeholders to prevail on CAN while warning that
an attempt by any group to flout the court order will be an
invitation to chaos.

“We invite all right-thinking Nigerians to take a critical look
at the game playing out in Kwara State. It is a well-known fact in
modern society that any group that flouts court pronouncement is
inviting chaos. This is exactly what CAN is doing in Kwara State.
We therefore call on stakeholders to call CAN to order,” it
said.

“Any attempt by KWSG to spoon-feed CAN or to sweep the right of
the Muslim girl-child to wear hijab under the carpet will be
resisted by the Muslim community. The law is on our side. On hijab
we stand. There will be no retreat, no surrender.”

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused the Christian
Association of Nigeria (CAN) of instigating the clash between
Christians and Muslims in Kwara state.

Violence broke out between adherents of both religions in
Ilorin, the state capital, on Wednesday after the state government
reopened some schools it had shut down over controversy on
hijab.

The chaos ensued after Christian officials of the Baptist School
situated in the Surulere area of Ilorin were said to have
disallowed girls in hijab from gaining access into the school.

Reacting in a statement on Thursday, MURIC alleged that CAN
asked its members to occupy the school.

It said two courts in the state had ordered that female Muslim
students be allowed to use the hijab, and asked why CAN will not
heed the court ruling.

“CAN is to blame for all these. CAN was the one that called on
its members to occupy that school. Fortunately the ugly scene only
played out in one out of ten schools. But it is a big shame that in
21st century Kwara, CAN is turning its members against democratic
norms, against the rule of law,” he said.

“Both the Ilorin High Court and the Court of Appeal have ruled
in favour of hijab. It is therefore illegal, illegitimate, unlawful
and unconstitutional for CAN to insist that its members should not
obey the courts and that the schools should not allow female Muslim
students to use the hijab or even enter the school premises. It is
the height of lawlessness.

“We assert that CAN should be held responsible for whatever
happens in those schools.”

MURIC warned the state government “against compromising its
authority over this issue”.

It called on stakeholders to prevail on CAN while warning that
an attempt by any group to flout the court order will be an
invitation to chaos.

“We invite all right-thinking Nigerians to take a critical look
at the game playing out in Kwara State. It is a well-known fact in
modern society that any group that flouts court pronouncement is
inviting chaos. This is exactly what CAN is doing in Kwara State.
We therefore call on stakeholders to call CAN to order,” it
said.

“Any attempt by KWSG to spoon-feed CAN or to sweep the right of
the Muslim girl-child to wear hijab under the carpet will be
resisted by the Muslim community. The law is on our side. On hijab
we stand. There will be no retreat, no surrender.”