MSSN Ekiti Condemns Federal Polytechnic Ado Ekiti for Labeling Niqab as Indecent

By Abdullahi Yusuf

The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Ekiti State Area Unit, has issued a formal press release strongly condemning the recent classification of the niqab (veil) as “indecent dressing” in the student handbook of The Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti. According to the MSSN, this move championed by the Rector, Engr. Temitope John Alake amounts to a violation of religious freedom and the constitutional rights of Muslim students. Below is the full text of the press release:

This is the full press release and I want to post but my intro first:

FULL PRESS RELEASE 

MUSLIM STUDENTS’ SOCIETY OF NIGERIA (MSSN) EKITI STATE AREA UNIT CONDEMNS THE INCLUSION OF VEIL(NIQAB) AMONG INDECENT DRESSING IN THE FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, ADO EKITI STUDENTS’ HANDBOOK BY THE RECTOR ENGR. TEMITOPE JOHN ALAKE AND HIS TEAM

The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Ekiti Area Unit, strongly condemns the infringement of the right to freedom of religion at The Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti by the Rector Engr. Temitope John Alake and his team.

The  infringement borders on listing the  use of veil (NIQAB) by female Muslim students as one of the immoral dresses on the campus. The action has negated the right to freedom of religion, as guaranteed by relevant Constitutional or Statutory provisions. It has also resulted in the restriction and Victimisation of the affected student(s) from participating in academic activities.

 BACKGROUND
The right to freedom of religion is a fundamental human right, essential to the dignity and well-being of individuals and communities.

Section 38 of the Nigerian Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. Also section 42 prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion. However, recent actions by the Rector, Dr. Alake, have severely curtailed this right, causing significant harm,  distress and psychological trauma to the affected individual(s) and the Muslim community.

The Rector and his team action of enlisting veil(NIQAB) with immoral dresses is a clear manifestation of insensitivity to religious rights of Muslim* students in particular.

We hereby urge the Rector and his agents to *immediately cease their anti-Islam and Muslim action and respect the fundamental human rights of Muslims within the Polytechnic community as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution. The Nigerian Constitution supersedes every other policy in Nigeria.

In addition to the constitutional provisions, the International Human Rights Instruments,  Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) Article 18 guarantees the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. Moreover, the 

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Article 18, protects the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.

In Nigeria, The Federal Polytechnic Act, The Nigeria National Policy on Education, and the Federal Ministry of Education guidelines  recognize religious diversity, tolerance, and inclusivity in educational institutions, Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti can not be an exception.

 KEY ISSUES AND ARGUMENTS

The inclusion of the veil (NIQAB) among indecent dresses in the Polytechnic is not only an infringement on female Muslim right to freedom of religion but also a discrimination against them and their beliefs. Such indicates the failure of The Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, under the leadership of Dr. Temitope John Alake and his agents to discharge their responsibility regarding promoting peaceful practice of the various religious activities in the institution without any  inhibition.

DEMANDS

We demand that:

1. Dr. Temitope John Alake, the Rector should immediately cease all actions* infringing on the right to freedom of religion of Muslims within the Polytechnic in any form;

2. Veil inclusion as an indecent dressing in the Polytechnic students’ handbook *should be expunged

3. The Rector, should take concrete steps to ensure the protection and promotion* of the right to freedom of religion of the Muslims within the Polytechnic community;

3. The Rector should dialogue with *Muslim students and stakeholders* to understand their concerns and find mutually acceptable solutions; and 

4. The Rector should *emplace acceptable policy* that will guarantee religious rights of all students of the institution.

CALL TO ACTION

We call on all Federal Government Regulatory Agencies, well-meaning organizations and individuals who value human rights and dignity to join us in condemning this infringement and call the Rector to order. Together, we should ensure that the right to freedom of religion is protected and respected.

E-Signed: Engr. Jimoh Owonifari KAREEM, Amir, Sulaiman RAJI General Secretary, Imam Sulaiman ADEMILOYE, PRO.

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