The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) in Lagos has warned Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu against harassment, molestation and illegal punishment of Hijab-wearing students in secondary schools across the state.

In a statement on Sunday, the Amir of MSSN Lagos, Kamoldeen Abiona, said the warning followed reports of a meeting involving school principals, education ministry officials and the commissioner for basic and secondary education, Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, during which the commissioner purportedly said that the Hijab must not cover school badges.

“We find this statement not only provocative but a blatant attempt to redefine a settled matter of law through the back door,” Mr Abiona stated.

The Amir reminded the state government that the issue reached its logical and final legal conclusion on June 17, 2022, when the Supreme Court of Nigeria affirmed the right of Muslim female students to wear the Hijab.

He added that the apex court did not grant the state government or any individual official the power to dictate a design that diminishes the Hijab’s essence as an act of worship.

“To say that the Hijab must not cover school badges is an indirect way of forcing students to wear mini-hijabs or neck-scarves which do not fulfill the requirements of the faith,” Mr Abiona stated. “The badge can be pinned onto the hijab if visibility is the concern, and to do otherwise is to prioritise a piece of cloth over the constitutional and religious rights of the students.”

He described the committee formed to examine the length of the Hijab as a dangerous and clandestine attempt to undermine the judicial authority of the Supreme Court, adding it was as a transparent attempt to create a government-approved version of Islam which members of MSSN in Lagos State would never accept.

While accusing Mr Sanwo-Olu’s administration of intent to disrupt the peace and orderliness currently enjoyed in schools, Mr Abiona advised the governor to focus on leaving a legacy of harmony rather than reigniting a crisis that previously cost the state years of legal battles and social tension.

He also urged school principals and teachers to ignore directives that violate the subsisting court judgement to avoid being held in contempt of court.

“The MSSN Lagos remains committed to peace, but we shall not hesitate to employ every legal and constitutional means to protect the rights of the Muslim girl-child, as any attempt to harass our students based on illegal guidelines will be met with stiff, lawful resistance,” Mr Abiona warned.

Spokesperson for Mr Sanwo-Olu, Gboyega Akosile, did not reply to a request seeking comment on Mr Abiona’s statement.