Bill To Institutionalise Hijab Passes Second Reading In House Of Reps

A bill sponsored by the Deputy Chairman of the House of
Representatives’ Committee on Finance and Member representing
Bida/Gbako/Katcha Federal Constituency, Hon. Saidu Musa Abdullahi,
has passed second reading at the lower chamber of the National
Assembly.

The bill titled “Religious Discrimination (Prohibition,
Prevention) Bill, 2021” was seeking to provide a mechanism for
enforcing certain provisions of the Constitution and other
international laws that recognizes the right of females to adorning
hijab in both public and private establishments in Nigeria.

Leading the debate at the plenary, Hon. Saidu declared that the
issue of religious discrimination is one of the most prevalent
menaces in the country that has hindered national peace, unity and
development.

The Lawmaker gave instances where some citizens lose their
jobs/employment opportunities, or even outrightly hindered from
having access to healthcare, education, finance, employment only on
the basis that they profess a religion or that they manifest their
religious belief.

He said “In October 2016, a qualified radiographer, Hawawu Saliu
Olatunji, was disallowed from partaking in a job interview by the
former Chief Medical Director (CMD) of one of the Federal Medical
Centers in Nigeria on the ground that she wore a hijab. Also, on
17th December 2017, Amasa Firdaus was barred from being called to
the Nigerian bar only because she adorned a hijab. It took the
intervention of the National Assembly and intense advocacy from
civil society organizations before she was eventually called to the
Bar.

“Nigerian leaders must not be afraid of talking to themselves.
It is time we take very bold and courageous steps in provoking a
national discussion that will permanently address this religious
controversy threatening the foundation upon which the unity of this
country was built. This ought to have been settled long before
now”.

Hon. Saidu assured that when the Bill is passed into law, “it
will address discriminatory conducts and prohibits religious
discrimination concerning hiring or recruitment, terms and
conditions of employment, it will prohibit qualifying/Professional
Bodies, educational institutions, and employment agencies, and
other sectors from discriminating against persons, students or
personnel based on their religious belief or its manifestation.

The Bill was therefore referred to House Committee on Human
Rights for further Legislative actions.

A bill sponsored by the Deputy Chairman of the House of
Representatives’ Committee on Finance and Member representing
Bida/Gbako/Katcha Federal Constituency, Hon. Saidu Musa Abdullahi,
has passed second reading at the lower chamber of the National
Assembly.

The bill titled “Religious Discrimination (Prohibition,
Prevention) Bill, 2021” was seeking to provide a mechanism for
enforcing certain provisions of the Constitution and other
international laws that recognizes the right of females to adorning
hijab in both public and private establishments in Nigeria.

Leading the debate at the plenary, Hon. Saidu declared that the
issue of religious discrimination is one of the most prevalent
menaces in the country that has hindered national peace, unity and
development.

The Lawmaker gave instances where some citizens lose their
jobs/employment opportunities, or even outrightly hindered from
having access to healthcare, education, finance, employment only on
the basis that they profess a religion or that they manifest their
religious belief.

He said “In October 2016, a qualified radiographer, Hawawu Saliu
Olatunji, was disallowed from partaking in a job interview by the
former Chief Medical Director (CMD) of one of the Federal Medical
Centers in Nigeria on the ground that she wore a hijab. Also, on
17th December 2017, Amasa Firdaus was barred from being called to
the Nigerian bar only because she adorned a hijab. It took the
intervention of the National Assembly and intense advocacy from
civil society organizations before she was eventually called to the
Bar.

“Nigerian leaders must not be afraid of talking to themselves.
It is time we take very bold and courageous steps in provoking a
national discussion that will permanently address this religious
controversy threatening the foundation upon which the unity of this
country was built. This ought to have been settled long before
now”.

Hon. Saidu assured that when the Bill is passed into law, “it
will address discriminatory conducts and prohibits religious
discrimination concerning hiring or recruitment, terms and
conditions of employment, it will prohibit qualifying/Professional
Bodies, educational institutions, and employment agencies, and
other sectors from discriminating against persons, students or
personnel based on their religious belief or its manifestation.

The Bill was therefore referred to House Committee on Human
Rights for further Legislative actions.