The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu has said that Nigeria’s constitution allows Muslim women to wear hijab in line with the teachings of their faith.

Speaking at the National Mosque, Abuja on Sunday February 5, during a public lecture organised by the Coalition of Nigerian Muslim Women as part of activities marking this year’s World Hijab Day, the minister who was represented by Hajiya Sidikat Shomope of the Social Mobilisation Department, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) said it is unfortunate that the controversy over the wearing of hijab in the country had gone down to the school level and generated needless clashes.

Appealing  to all traditional, religions and community leaders to use their offices to douse tension so that Nigerians could all live in peace, harmony and tolerance, Adamu added that the Nigerian constitution allows citizens to practise their religions as long as no harm or inconvenience is caused to other people.

Insisting that there is a lot the country can gain by dialoguing on matters of religious differences rather than resort to violence, the minister called on parents and school teachers “to ensure that in both words and actions, they present the best model to our children to emulate.” 

He said; 

“The wearing of hijab by Muslim women is a Sunna as recommended in the Holy Qur’an (Q 33 V 59).

“Our children will remain citizens of Nigeria irrespective of their faith. They will live and interact in the world outside school where no boundary exists between the religions. 

“We should understand that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees freedom of religion to all citizens. This, by implication, means that all citizens are allowed to practice their religions according to the teachings of their faith as long as no harm or inconvenience is caused to other people.”

This is coming after a violent clash at Baptist High School, Ijagbo in Oyun Local Government of Kwara State, led to the death of Habeeb Idris, a Muslim student of the school. The student was killed after a rally by Muslim students was reportedly disrupted by hoodlums and security agents.