The Muslim community in Kwara State has suggested that the names of all schools formerly owned by Muslim and Christian proprietors in the state should be changed as part of solutions to the hijab crisis in the state.
In a letter addressed to the State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Muslim community recommended six actions to be taken by the government in resolving the issue of hijab-wearing by female Muslim students in all public schools in the state.
The letter dated June 7, 2022, was signed by Alhaji Ishaq AbdulKareem (Chairman) and Professor Ibrahim Abikan (Secretary).
It partly reads: “The Kwara State Government should change the names of all schools formerly owned by both the Muslim and Christian proprietors by adding’ Government’ into them, e.g, Ansarul Islam Government Secondary School, Ilorin, Bishop Smith Memorial Government College, Ilorin.”
The Muslim body also demanded compensation for the family of Habeeb Idris who was allegedly killed on February 3, 2022, during the hijab crisis at Oyun Baptist High School, Ijagbo.
They also stated in the letter that, “The Kwara State Government must build a new school mosque for Muslim students/ teachers of Bishop Smith Memorial College, Ilorin to replace the one demolished.
“The Kwara State Government should appoint a new Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, while the permanent secretary in the ministry should be moved to another ministry.
“The Kwara State Government must enforce freedom of worship in our schools by ensuring that separate devotions are held for Muslim and Christian students at the school assembly, and no external Imam or Pastor should be allowed to participate in morning devotion aside from the school teachers.
“The Kwara State Government should ensure, henceforth, that appointments and postings of principals into all schools should be based on merit and seniority and should be the sole responsibility of the Kwara State Teaching Service Commission instead of former proprietors as it is being done now.”
