Hijab wearing female Muslim students of the University of Ibadan, International School, Ibadan UI-ISI, have been advised to excel in their studies as pathway to reaching the peak of their chosen careers.

The Chairman, Muslim Parents Forum of UI-ISI, Alhaji Abdurahman Balogun, who gave the advice during the first phase of Hijab distribution to 100 Female Muslim students of the school at the UI Central Mosque, Ibadan noted that Hijab has to stay as part of the school uniform following the High Court judgement.

Alhaji 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 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”, Balogun maintained.

In a session, 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.

In another session, Dr Kafayat Adebayo, who is also a parent 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.

Dr Adebayo said “try to be neat, presentable and do not plait extravagant hairstyles or hide weird earrings under the Hijab”‘ she counselled.

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.

Meanwhile, the Principal of the UI-ISI, Mr. Yinka Akintunde while reacting to the protest by some Muslim Parents over alleged prevention of students from writing Geography in the ongoing West African Examination Council, WAEC said the supervisor was making efforts to ascertain the identities of the concerned students, as they registered for the exams without putting on Hijab.

Some students of UI-ISI who were sighted adorning in white Hijabs within the school premises during the school hours confirmed that there has been no harassment or intimidation from the teachers and the management.

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