School had resumed for classes on Monday when, in accordance with the resolution of the school's Board of Governors that status quo of dressing be reinstated, students spotted putting on hijab were barred from entering into the school.
A demonstration has held under the aegis of Oyo state Muslim Community in front of the International School, Ibadan, over the refusal of the use of hijab by female students the school.
School had resumed for classes on Monday when, in accordance with the resolution of the school's Board of Governors that status quo of dressing be reinstated, students spotted putting on hijab were barred from entering into the school.
Following this, parents and other demonstrators were seen raising placards and chanting songs few meters away from the school gate.
“Hijab: our fundamental right,” read a placard. “How does my hijab affect you?” was the inscription displayed on another. “Hijab my pride, their fear,” another placard displayed.
Seeing this, parents were seen rushing into the school to pick there wards.
Following this, the management of the school released a notice announcing that the school has been closed until further notice.
Reacting to questions from Campus Reporter, Alhaji Ismail Busayri, the Secretary General of Muslim Community of Oyo state (MUSCOYS), described the demonstration as a “peaceful rally” and the first step to drive home their demands.
“Unfortunately, at this time and age, fundamental rights of the minority not to talk of the majority are being trampled on,” he said. “They've denied our girl children access to basic education for almost a week now only because they don a small headscarf — a shoulder length hijab.”
“Even in Article 7 of the Students’ Handbook of the school that talks about uniform, nothing there bans adorning hijab. Nigeria's constitution and the Declaration of Human Rights are superior to any other internal rule of any establishment.
“Section 32, subsection 2 guarantees the right of Muslim ladies to adorn hijab anywhere. We do think we are using Common Law in Nigeria but as you can see Common Law is no longer common to all. It favours some people and its against some others. What distraction does it (hijab) cause? How has it infringed on the rights of others?” Alhaji Ismail went on to add.
Asked if all internal means have been devised to resolve the issue, he said several letters have been written to the school authority to no avail. Though to this, the Principal of the school, Mrs. Phebean Olowe, said no letter has been submitted except the recent letter received a week ago.
Told the school isn't an Islamic school but a private school as claimed by the DVC, he argued that: “That is baseless. In fact, it doesn't make sense to call International School, University of Ibadan, a private school. On their website, go and check, what is there is that the school was established in March 1963 by the University of Ibadan,” he explained.
“When has UI become a private establishment? While the DVC Academics is the Chairman, Board of Governors is he a private person too to UI? Can anybody from outside chair that Board of Governors. Who are the owners?”
He moved on: “Even if as claimed, the constitution of country guarantees that you can manifest your religion both in public and in private as stated in section 32, subsection 2.”
He said permitting hijab won't affect anything. In fact, he posited, it would enhance focus. This he said by citing “the smartest student in the world, Sheila Ibrahim, an hijab wearing girl from Osun state who had all distinctions in her course in Harvard University. The first time in the history of the school. Islam enhances focus.”
During his Friday sermon, the Chief Imam of the University had said a letter had been written to the University's Vice Chancellor, therefore, “mob action should be shunned and external bodies should stay out of the issue.”
In response to this, the Secretary General enthused: “We are together. We are supporting their cause. We are doing this to make them see reason why they should listen to the Imam.”
He went on to appeal to the government, the national assembly, “to enforce the right of our children.”
Parents’ reaction
A parent seen driving her ward out of the school, who poked her head out of her car, spoke profusely: “We don't want religion again. We want our kids to learn in good schools, we want improved standard of living. Let whoever wants religion to go to Saudi Arabia or Jerusalem. We don't want religion again. Give us good governance, give us good economy. No more religion.”
Another parent in his mid–forties called for settling the issue without letting it affect the academic life of the students.
“Let's leave the issue of religion out of school. This is a secondary school. Anybody out of secondary school can be free to use anything,” he said.
“Let there be peace. Uniform should be uniform as stated. I don't know why we are just disturbing ourselves. Uniform as it has been stated by the school should be what is accepted,” he added.
Speaking to our correspondent is another parent in his mid–thirties who reacted thus:
“What we want is that a Muslim lady should be seen as a Muslim Lady. Abroad, they allow girls to use hijab. I don't see anything bad in them using hijab. It does not affect their academic life.
“When they are out of ISI out, they see people who use hijab. It is not about the school (ISI) alone. After the school hour, we see Muslim lady using it. It is what they use every time.”
‘Give us some time, we would resolve the issue’ — DVC Academics
On his arrival at the scene, Prof. Olayinka Aderinto, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) who double serves as the Chairman of the Board of Governors, the highest decision making body of the school, expressed his displeasure at the demonstration.
He promised that normalcy would be restored in due time.
“That it happened this morning is just unfortunate. I don't think this about hijab again. Maybe some of them have another motive to destroy the school; I do not know.
“We appraising the situation. We would take the decision that is in the best interest of the parents and the children.
“Just give us some time. Give us some few days. We would resolve the issue. You know, we also have to be very careful. We don't want something that will lead to blood shed. That will not even augur well for our school. Because even if they want to ferment trouble we have to remain calm. That's the position we have taken in the last one week.”
First term examination in the school is in about two weeks. He allayed the fears of parents by assuring them the uproar would be dealt with as appropriate.
“We are handling it. This children are our children. Remember, last week when the school was closed, SSS 3 students were being taught. We know what is happening, and we assure you that faster measure would be out in place.”
Yusuf Akinpelu is a campus journalist from the University of Ibadan. He can be reached via 09032788612