By Valentine Amanze, Online Editor
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kwara State chapter, has rejected approval of the use of hijab in the Christian mission grant aides schools in the state.
CAN took the position after the state goverment had approved use of the hijab and directed reopening of the Christian mission schools in Ilorin, the state capital, it had earlier closed down.
The government closed the school about two weeks ago after the issue of putting on hijab by female Muslim students had generated crisis and raised religious tension in one of the schools, Baptist School in Surule area of Ilorin.
However after a meeting involving the CAN, proprietors of grant aides schools, heads of bloc, heads of different denominations and delegates, the Christian body came up with a communique where it condemned and rejected the government’s approval of the hijab.
The association argued that the use of hijab would cause discrimination in schools and also cautioned that it may give terrorists clue to easily identify non-Muslim female students.
The communique was signed by CAN Secretary, Rev. Reuben Ibotoye and the Director Legal and Publicity, Apostle Shona Ibiyemi, but read to newsmen by Rev. Victor Adebayo Dada.
The CAN restated its demand for the return of the grant aided schools to the owners and signified its readiness to continue to dialogue with the government until the request is met.
The communique reads: “The stakeholders appreciate the Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for having a good interactive session with them.
The body condemn the use of Hijab in Christian Missions Grant Aided Schools as this will cause discrimination in schools and allow terrorist to easily identify our children and wards.
Christian mission grant aided schools should be returned to the owners promptly as most of these Schools have Churches besides them and unnecessary trespass may lead to break down of law and order.
Christ faithfuls should occupy all granted aided schools.
Christians should have a day for prayers and fasting for God to interface in the imbroglo.
We shall continue to interact and dialogue with the State Government on the return of grant aided schools to the proprietors.
Answering questions from newsmen, Rev Dada said since the schools were not general public schools but mission schools only grant aides by the government the owners still perform managerial roles that include prescription of uniform for students.
He said contrary to insinuations in some quarters there had never been a time where issue of wearing hijabs in the schools wasbtaken to court.
Dada explained that CAN took the goverment to court for judicial settlement on the demand that the schools be returned to the owners insisting that no prayer on hijab wearing was made either by the CAN or the government on the matter at the court.
He argued that since the CAN had appealled decisions of the lower courts on the matter at the Supreme Court and put the government on notice there ought to operate a stay of execution of judgement appealed against.