*Photo: Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Balogun(2nd right) at the event*
Hijab wearing female Muslim students of the University of Ibadan, International School, Ibadan UI-ISI, have been advised to excel in their studies and be good ambassadors of Islam as pathway to reaching the peak of their chosen careers.
The Chairman, Muslim Parents Forum (ISI- MPF), Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Balogun, gave the advice during the first phase of Hijab distribution to over 100 female Muslim students of the school at the UI Central Mosque, Ibadan.
He noted that Hijab has come to stay as part of the school uniform following the May 23 Oyo state High Court judgement in Ibadan which allows any willing Muslim girls to freely adorn the hijab on the school uniform.
Balogun stressed that the Forum is committed to giving all willing female Muslim students Hijab free of charge in order to exercise their freedom of religion and conscience as guaranteed in the 1999 Nigerian constitution as amended.
“We have asked some of their mothers who are wearing Hijab, who are Professors, Doctors in their own fields to counsel and encourage them. The Hijab would not stop them from attaining whatever position”, he stressed.
Speaking in the same vein, one of the parents, Professor Rahman Akinoso urged the students to be good ambassadors of parents, Islam and the Muslim community and strive for excellence in their studies.
Another parent, Dr Kafayat Adebayo, advised the students to follow all the tenets of Hijab by being morally upright, modest and respectful to showcase the good image of Islam in the society.
Adebayo said “try to be neat, presentable and do not plait extravagant hairstyles or hide weird earrings under the Hijab”‘ she counselled.
Professor Sikiru Babarinde, an educationist and a parent, traced the history of the hijab struggle at ISI-UI and tasked the students to be of good conduct as it took their parents six years to win the legal fireworks in court.
A former National President of Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Dr Taofeek Yekeen and a parent, also implored the students to be of good conduct as people will see Islam through them due to the hijab they are wearing.
The Ameer, Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, (MSSN), UI, Ustaz Sodiq Musa promised to always coordinate and support the students on issues relating to Hijab use.
Thus far, the number of students of UI-ISI adorning the hijabs in the school unmolested is daily increasing amidst the threat by the school management that none of them will be given any school prefect position.
The event, which was graced by the male students of ISI-UI also has in attendance the executive of MSSN in Akinyele Area Council, Parents and some other stakeholders.
