Be patient with Aregbesola, group urges Muslims, Christians
By Samuel Adekahunsi
Muslims and Christians in the State of Osun have been asked to exercise patience on the lingering dispute over the wearing of Hijab in public schools. The dust was raised when a State High Court ordered that Muslims in the State can wear Hijab to public schools prompting Christians and traditional worshipers to urge their wards to put on their faith regalia to the schools.
The group said Aregbesola remains an icon in Yorubaland and that his emergence as the Governor of the State of Osun remains a blessing to the Yoruba people.
“The mega schools he built are not fore Muslims or Christians so also are the good roads and the agrarian transformation of the state were not done for a particular faith. The Governor’s sister is a deep Christian and his background is both Christian and Muslim like any other Yoruba family”, the group stated in a statement obtained by Irohinoodua today and signed by Samuel Adio and Shenge Rahman.
In a statement issued in Lagos on Thursday, the Oodua Muslim-Christian Youth Dialogue Group, (OMC-YDG) said the two major religions in the state should avoid blowing the dispute out of proportion.
OMC-YDG said the Governor of the State of Osun remains committed to the welfare of the citizens and that the issue of religion should not be allowed to distort the lofty dreams and aspirations of the governor.
“Both Christian and Muslims in Yorubaland should look for an amicable solution to the problem on the ground. The Yoruba people have indigenous knowledge of resolving challenges in the past. Today should not be different. Muslim and Christian leaders should not allow themselves to be used to cause disaffection in the state.”
The group said both religious groups should not take extreme positions, but should allow wisdom and the interest of the generality of Yoruba people to guide their conducts, warning that if the Hijab crisis is not well handled, it could distort the harmony and peaceful coexistence in the state.
“There is always the need to realize the supremacy of God over all tendencies in religions. The creed should be guided by peace and love, the two pillars of Christianity and Islam which are responsible for the peaceful co-oexistence that has been the hallmark of Yoruba tradition for centuries.”