Demmzy15:
Bro, face the topic. Face my points head on and stop talking rubbish.

Guy u are the one deviating here, and it shows you are truly fake.If Saudi ladies are the symbol of morality because of hijab. Then part of Saudi good deed is to kill Khashoogi. Awon oniyeye, they preach peace but act otherwise. Fighting Hijab in secondary school, set of idle people.

beethoven:




TO THOSE WHO ARE CLAIMING THAT ISI IS A PUBLIC SCHOOL PLEASE READ A LITTLE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL BEFORE YOU JUMP ONTO THE BANDWAGON OF YOUR MURIC BANDIT LEADER PROF Ishaq Akintola WHO KNOWS NOTHING OTHER THAN FOMENTING TROUBLE.



With reference to write ups concerning wearing of Hijab and subsequent protest by selected Muslim Parents in International School Ibadan (ISI), I hereby make my submission below:

To start with, it's a pity that Muslims do preach that Islam is a Religion of Peace. All what was said in the write ups by Prof Ishaq Akintola (President of Muslim Rights Concern {MURIC}) and Prof Salisu Shehu (Deputy General Secretary, Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs {NSCIA}) are all FICTIONS. I don't know why they just don't embrace peace and live with others peacefully with tolerance. And to say that these people spreading all these false news and information are Professors. Their Professorial status was merited via their scholarship and thus are more informed and knowledgeable and should not misinform or mislead others. They are people who are looked up to in the society for proper direction and guidance.

[b]The Secondary School, ISI was founded and established by a British-German Educator Kurt Hahn a Christian in October 1963 with funding from USAID, Ford Foundation and donation of land space by the Nigerian Western Regional Government. Most of the pioneer teaching staff were British expatriates’ educators from Gordonstoun in Scotland. The school is a co-educational Boarding and Day School, admitting pupils aged 10 to 16. It was primarily established to meet the need of finding a school with a world class standard comparable to schools in Europe and Northern America for children of expatriates, living and working in Nigeria. It opened its doors to pupils of both expatriates of diverse nationalities and highly placed Nigerians. The social setting that ISI provided attracted more patronage from people of all races. Also the principals who have headed the school have been mostly Reverend Fathers and one Muslim. The first Principal was David S. Snell (1963–1965) of blessed memory; followed by John Gillespie (1965–1968). The longest serving Principal was an Anglican clergy, Archdeacon J.A. Iluyomade (1969–1985) of blessed memory. He was also the first indigenous head of the school. After him was Rev. (Dr.) Dapo Ajayi (1986–1988) also of blessed memory, then Dapo Fajembola (1990–1991) also of blessed memory. Thereafter came the first female Principal, Esther Adetola Smith (1991–2004). After her was R.O. Akintilebo (2006–2007) who was the first Muslim Principal, Dr. M.B Malik (2007–2017) and Phebean O. Olowe (2017-present). It should be stated that between 2004 and 2006 when the school had internal crises and administrative issues a Non-Academic Staff of the University, Mr. Augustine Onwueme of Blessed memory was assigned by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Odejide as an administrator to manage the affairs of ISI. Mr. Augustine Onwueme was an administrator from June/July, 2004 until his demise in December 2005 on contract basis. [/b]

The school dress code with the emphasis of no HEAD COVER means no scarf, beret or the hijab. Permit me to say that the wearing of Hijab is not on religious bases but cultural (way of life). The region where the mode of dressing emanated from was in the Middle East which is a desert and thus the need to protect their eyes from blindness due to the sand dust. ISI is a private school not funded by any Government or even the University of Ibadan. The University of Ibadan only manages the affairs and administration of the School thus informing as Chairman of the School Governing Council to be the appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of the Institution. This is a school where a praying ground is provided for the Muslims to observe their prayers and if you must know it's because of the Muslims that the school closes on Friday by 12.30pm in other for Muslim students to observe Jumat and they are actually been conveyed to the Mosque in the University for prayers. Also on Sundays, as the Christian students have their Fellowship in school, The Muslim Student Society (MSS) of ISI has one of the staff of the school who comes around on Sunday to anchor the fellowship with them on ISI premises. The Islamic Religion Knowledge /Arabic Language Studies was introduced into the school curriculum by Mr. R. O. Akintilebo during his tenure. He initiated this by engaging tutors who came and teach the students on a part time bases. If ISI is discriminating as claimed by the writers, Mr. R. O. Akintilebo would never be employed to head the school as a Principal. His appointment was on merit as he was one of the teachers in the school. Please tell me, is there any discrimination against the Muslims as petitioned by the unrecognized International School Muslim Parents’ Forum (ISMPF)? Why is it so difficult for people to abide by the rules and regulations of a school? No one forced those clamoring for the use of Hijab to bring their kids to ISI. There are lots of Islamic Secondary schools in Oyo state where without any difficulty they can wear their Hijab. The man who started this madness Abdurrahman Balogun (Chairman of International School Muslim Parents’ Forum {ISMPF}, an association not recognized by the school authorities), in ISI who was distributing the Hijab to the girls at the school car park on Monday 12 November, 2018 enrolled his child last year into JSS1. This is his second year in ISI. Following day, Tuesday 13th November the school management had a PTA meeting and parents made their grievances known to the management. Funny enough some of the parents and the Alumni who attended the PTA meeting to speak were Muslims and they emphasized their displeasure by what their Muslim counterparts are causing in the school. I was at that PTA meeting (being a parent whose child has been attending the school for over three years) and I witnessed all that transpired. An email sent in by one Alhaja Basirat Banke Adeniyi was read by the chairman, Lawyer Kazeem Olaniyi of the recognized PTA in the school (also a Muslim), where she expressed her disappointment over the acts of the ISMPF and suggested by mentioning Muslim schools in Ibadan that these aggrieved parents can take their kids to, if they cannot abide by the rules and regulations of ISI. The culprit of this whole madness, Abdurrahman Balogun who wrote the petition about discrimination of the Muslim students in the school and the need to wear hijab was shut down by majority of the parents from talking, for disrupting the peace of the institution which has been established over 55years where the students are all tutored together irrespective of their religion or ethnic differences. Parents at the meeting were even asking what form of discrimination was experienced by these Muslim children, none was ever mentioned. The governing council however met on Wednesday 14 November and gave their final verdict that the school will maintain its status quo one of which is no wearing of any form of head cover and anyone who violates this should not be allowed inside the school premises or the parents should take such kids to other schools where it is permitted to wear any form of head cover such as hijab. The irony about this, is the fact that those parents who are headstrong about the decision of the Governing Council has instructed their daughters to wear the hijab thus hindering their entering the school premises and attending their classes. These are the girls seen outside the school gate with their hijab on, 8 of them in number. While other Muslim parents abided by the school authorities and Governing Council verdict, instructed their girls to remove their hijab so that they can be allowed to enter the school premises and continue with their classes. These other 8 girls have been attending the school without Hijab for years until their parents are woken from their slumber by this spoiler and enemy of peace, Abdurrahman Balogun whom was said to have established the ISI Muslim Parents Association Forum. An illegal association not recognised by the school authorities aside from the PTA. Funny thing is his own child is attending classes. Do you know why? His child is a boy while those who are supporting his cause have their kids to be girls and with the new rule of no wearing of hijab they are denied access into the school. I rest my case. But the question are: Will the wearing of hijab make their girls more brilliant or better still take them to heaven? If the foreign Christians who established the school had said strictly no other person of other religion except from Christianity should attend, maybe this problem would not have emerged. The Muslim parents who are supporting this cause some of them actually got educated through their attendance of mission schools owned by Catholics, Methodist, Baptist and Anglican. I went to St. Louis Girls Secondary School Mokola and the late Arisekola Alao's daughter Fatima who was a junior attended and her other siblings attended ISI. Also the Baale of Bodija Alhaji Rasheed Adesokan two daughters, Folake and Tolani attended my school (St. Louis) in fact Folake was my mate. Although she was taken away in her final year because Folake actually converted to a Christian of her own free will. We have Muslims sending their children to Christian Private owned Universities like Babcock, Bowen, Covenant, Redeemers and so on. Why can’t they agitate for wearing of Hijab in this private owned tertiary institutions, if they can clamour for such in ISI which is equally a private owned Secondary School. At least I know there are Muslim owned universities like Cresecent University in Abeokuta and Fountain University at Osogbo all in South West. One can go on and on about this. It's all optional and choice you don't have to force your own religion doctrines on others violating the laid down rules and then going about spreading false information of discrimination against Muslim students.

Dr. Olufunke Adegoke
Lecturer, Department of Sociology,
University of Ibadan

Fantastic! Great piece. Case closed.

One incosiderate religious extremist just woke up one day and seek where to exihibit his fanaticism and he turned to ISI, a school that has known peace for 55 years. That is how they create religious crisis everywhere. Arrant nonsense!

GoTV:
Even though I'm a born again Christian, i think Muslims are been marginalized and their rights are trampled upon in most Southern schools. We Christians should better realize that Nigeria is a secular country dominated by Muslims wether we like it or not. Most schools pray the Christian way without considering the faith of Muslims and yet we Christians still refuse to let Muslims wear an harmless Hijab I hope Muric and other Muslim groups reject this open hypocrisy of we Christians

And who told you, you are a Christian?

flyca:

Whaaaaat
Tell me why you should compel a young teenage girl between to wearing an hijab in this tropical region full of heat! Because of your insecurities right?

How can a sane man, look at a kid that age with lust in his eyes? Plus all the attrocities committed by your religious leaders on young ones. Does hijab stop your kinsmen from marrying pre-puberty kids?

Now tell me who is the animal?

He is the animal. GBAM!

ololadeking:


I don't know your age or your status but
you are a very big fool

He is a big fool at 40

#From_a_Muslim_Parent
#Pls_share_widely

HIJAB PALAVER IN ISI: MATTERS ARISING

As a parent of students of ISI who believe in the call for the use of hijab in the school, I consider it appropriate to put forth some points. I also realised that I need to state the following in order to place my submission in the right context;

1. The call for use of hijab in ISI is solely because it is an inalienable right that of the Muslim girls. Islam requires that all Muslim women use the hijab; the constitution of Nigeria guarantees the right to use it.

2. Not all Muslims conform to the codes of Islam in the same manner; hence the call is for the Muslim girls who are willing to use it.

3. I found it difficult to understand why someone would say my child is not entitled to such a right because (s)he feels so. Why play ‘the dog in the manger’? I was stunned beyond imagination when a parent, at the PTA meeting, said his child cannot be in the same class with a hijab-wearing girl! How would my girl’s hijab disturb his child in the same class? How did we get to this level of hatred for one another because we express different religions? This is a time bomb!

4. When someone, at the PTA meeting, encouraged the ISI school management to go to court on the matter, the Christians shouted thunderous No! In essence, they are opposed to civil way of resolution and rely on their ability/capacity to force their ways of life on the Muslims.

5. It was the ISI management that disrupted school activities and not the Muslim parents. At the PTA meeting, we were told that the school administration decided to withhold their services because some girls used hijab.

6. The colonial missionaries deprived our fathers access to education; they gave them the option of either changing their faith or get educated. The next generation that ventured into education were oppressed by imposing Christian doctrines on them, vestiges of which still remain till today. The Muslims have been subjected to generational oppression. I assert the way the ISI administration’s intent is to perpetuate the generational oppression on our children. This has to stop at a point in time.

7. ISI is not a secular school; it is a multi-religion community, which is why Christian Religious Knowledge and Islamic Studies are taught in the school. A secular system does not recognise any religion.

8. ISI allowed the teaching of Islamic Studies after 43 years of its existence, whereas Bible knowledge has been taught from inception. Even at that, the University of Ibadan Muslim community paid the salaries of the Islamic Studies teachers for two years. Where is fairness here?

9. Preventing hijab use in ISI hitherto is a tradition. There is no mention of “No to use of head cover” in ISI’s School Rules and Regulations.

10. An international school should be accommodating of the expected diversity in humanity than is displayed in this scenario. Some parents expressed that it is of Christian orientation and should remain so; this is localising the international school. It is not good for the institution.

11. Peace should be based on justice and not a situation where some people lord their desires over others while the oppressed go to silence grudgingly. That is peace of the graveyard!

I was surprised when I saw the write up of a sociology scholar of University of Ibadan on this matter. The basis of my apprehension is that when the government decides to do things right, they would consult the scholars in order to provide evidence-based policies. If her submissions in the write-up represent the mind of a sociology scholar in Nigeria, this truly calls for concern.

To be specific, I found the following submission of hers quite disturbing;

1. My understanding of her statement _“If the foreign Christians who established the school had said strictly no other person of other religion except from Christianity should attend, maybe this problem would not have emerged”_ is that Muslims should consider it a privilege to be allowed any stake in that school. If this is what she meant, I am quite dazed and wondered if her career is sufficient to tame her bigotry. This probably informed her misplaced ‘advice’ of where Muslim parents should have taken their children. I expect her to know that segregating our children in such tender ages will not lead to any good for our society in the nearest future. Children of different religious affiliations should relate and appreciate the differences so that they can learn to tolerate one another in the larger society. It is surprising that a sociology scholar was actually speaking against what she should be speaking for!

2. The submission that _“the Muslim parents who are supporting this cause some of them actually got educated through their attendance of mission schools owned by Catholics, Methodist, Baptist and Anglican”_ suggests that she expects the Muslims to have been attenuated enough not to see the need to ask for the right of their children. Yes, we were forced to join the Christian fellowship sessions at schools; some of us still have Songs of Praise rhymes in our memories till now, but oppression will have to come to an end at a point in time. Her knowledge of society should have taught her that at a point in time, a people will become conscious of their identity and would want to express it.

3. Her reference to the call for hijab use as madness revealed her bigotry. A competent sociologist should appreciate a potent voice of disagreement and should advice the powers that be to address it. To disregard genuine complaints, and call it madness is to wait for implosion that may lead to social disharmony. By attempting to muffle voices of disagreement or treating genuine complaints with dismissal is to call for societal upheaval. This is basically because those who have come to the consciousness of their rights cannot be repressed all the time.

4. When the sociology scholar ventured to state that _“Permit me to say that the wearing of Hijab is not on religious bases but cultural (way of life). The region where the mode of dressing emanated from was in the Middle East which is a desert and thus the need to protect their eyes from blindness due to the sand dust”_, I marvelled at the display of ignorance. How can such a scholar arrogate to herself the authority to guide people of other religion in which she knows nothing about? Qur’aan 24 verse 31 gave specific instruction about the use of hijab.

I hereby submit that we found ourselves in this multi-religious society, not by our choice but by divine design; what we make of it is up to us. Let us live and allow others to live. Tolerance is the watch word; I my right does not infringe on yours there is no need for you to try to stop me from having right.

Akande Lasisi is a Muslim Parent

Sikay19:

I don't know your age or your status but your opinion is very crass... Comparing Nigeria which is a secular state to core Islamic countries is unreasonable... this is Nigeria where you are allowed to practice religion of your choice. As muslims we have no problem with any forms of dressing every others wears. but Hijab is our identity and we shall not compromise on this... what I don't understand is why are you feeling insecure about this.. inferiority complex is the order of the day.

If your religion is not ready to comply with the lay down code of a public institution they should get out and stop imposing their intolerance on others. This how you people begin, from school, to the court, to other public offices. If we don't stop you people now you will demand that the females in our security agencies should wear hijab because you are not ready to compromise your identity.

Sikay19:

I don't know your age or your status but your opinion is very crass... Comparing Nigeria which is a secular state to core Islamic countries is unreasonable... this is Nigeria where you are allowed to practice religion of your choice. As muslims we have no problem with any forms of dressing every others wears. but Hijab is our identity and we shall not compromise on this... what I don't understand is why are you feeling insecure about this.. inferiority complex is the order of the day.

First,the school in question is a prvate school.
Hijab isn't part of their uniform.
I was even expecting the muslim parents to come to a compromise of beret or something,which is more acceptable and official.
A child below 18,shouldn't be forced to wear the hijab.
Muslim or not, the proprietors of the school have the final say.

Komolafe89:
animal will the hijab affecting you ? Do they force you to to use it or what affects you there

Whye must they wear hijab? The school is a private school.

Slowly, steadily...the Islamic Republic of Nigeria evolves.

herkeem:
The International School Ibadan (ISI) and the Hijab Ban.

ISI is a secondary school under the control of the management of University of Ibadan. The school has been in the news in the last few days for its refusal to allow willing female Muslim students use Hijab on their uniform. The situation has degenerated to the extent that the Muslim students were shut out of the school among other unwarranted actions of the school as represented by the Principal, one Mrs Phebean Olowe.

I have read and listened to different opinions on the development and I am not sorry for the positions I take on the matter. Before I conclude with my positions however, I have a few questions for the Principal in question as well as anyone with position same as or similar to that of the school management:

1. Does the wearing of Hijab by the willing female Muslim students portend any danger/evil for their colleagues (who don't), the school or anyone for that matter?

2. Is it against the law of the land for the students of such a 'public' school to wear Hijab?

3. Does their observance of that aspect of their constitutional rights rub or deny anyone of his?

If the genuine answers to the above questions are NO, then I am of the opinion that the assertion that the school's reactions are borne out of hatred for Islam and the Muslims must be very true and this has to stop and stop NOW.

And for those who might be asking, does their not wearing Hijab portend any danger? Yes, it does and contrary to the opinions of those that know not, not[b] wearing Hijab makes female muslims less M[/b]uslims because it's not a flexible commandment. If your wish is really not to make them non-Muslims, let them use what makes them the Muslims that they are.

I call on all the concerned stakeholders and well meaning people of the society to intervene in good time to allow our female Muslim students join their colleagues without any further victimization, molestation, discrimination or disdainful treatment of any kind.

Leyin aponle, abuku lo Ku o........... Tori a ko le wa sa fun keke lo kolu moto.....

Adesanjo Oyejide.

Which one is 'makes them less muslim'?
Abeg, they should obey the school rules. [b][/b]

Magalan:
The school has been co-existing peacefully for 55 years, generations have come and gone with notable figures across all divides, now religion wants to ruin it.

It's not religion that wants to divide the school, it's sheer ignorant. Please take note.

ollah2:



Muslims are always intolerant when they fight for their right but they are tolerant when they allow their wards to sing Christian songs in a government school, attend lectures on Friday, pray in christian ways etc.

You guys are bunch of hypocritical christian teorrirsts

Why not put you wards in islamic schools.

GoTV:
Even though I'm a born again Christian, i think Muslims are been marginalized and their rights are trampled upon in most Southern schools. We Christians should better realize that Nigeria is a secular country dominated by Muslims wether we like it or not. Most schools pray the Christian way without considering the faith of Muslims and yet we Christians still refuse to let Muslims wear an harmless Hijab I hope Muric and other Muslim groups reject this open hypocrisy of we Christians

BORN AGAIN INDEED, you will p soon find your level THAT IS if it is even true that you are indeed. - JUDAS ISCARIOT!

ollah2:



Your comment reeks of bigotry, hate and intolerance. You want a public school to an run in your own christian ways.. Yet it's the Muslims that wan yo Islamise Nigeria, you must think they are fools

It isn't a public school.

ollah2:



Your comment reeks of bigotry, hate and intolerance. You want a public school to an run in your own christian ways.. Yet it's the Muslims that wan yo Islamise Nigeria, you must think they are fools

TO THOSE WHO ARE CLAIMING THAT ISI IS A PUBLIC SCHOOL PLEASE READ A LITTLE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL BEFORE YOU JUMP ONTO THE BANDWAGON OF YOUR MURIC BANDIT LEADER PROF Ishaq Akintola WHO KNOWS NOTHING OTHER THAN FOMENTING TROUBLE.



With reference to write ups concerning wearing of Hijab and subsequent protest by selected Muslim Parents in International School Ibadan (ISI), I hereby make my submission below:

To start with, it's a pity that Muslims do preach that Islam is a Religion of Peace. All what was said in the write ups by Prof Ishaq Akintola (President of Muslim Rights Concern {MURIC}) and Prof Salisu Shehu (Deputy General Secretary, Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs {NSCIA}) are all FICTIONS. I don't know why they just don't embrace peace and live with others peacefully with tolerance. And to say that these people spreading all these false news and information are Professors. Their Professorial status was merited via their scholarship and thus are more informed and knowledgeable and should not misinform or mislead others. They are people who are looked up to in the society for proper direction and guidance.

[b]The Secondary School, ISI was founded and established by a British-German Educator Kurt Hahn a Christian in October 1963 with funding from USAID, Ford Foundation and donation of land space by the Nigerian Western Regional Government. Most of the pioneer teaching staff were British expatriates’ educators from Gordonstoun in Scotland. The school is a co-educational Boarding and Day School, admitting pupils aged 10 to 16. It was primarily established to meet the need of finding a school with a world class standard comparable to schools in Europe and Northern America for children of expatriates, living and working in Nigeria. It opened its doors to pupils of both expatriates of diverse nationalities and highly placed Nigerians. The social setting that ISI provided attracted more patronage from people of all races. Also the principals who have headed the school have been mostly Reverend Fathers and one Muslim. The first Principal was David S. Snell (1963–1965) of blessed memory; followed by John Gillespie (1965–1968). The longest serving Principal was an Anglican clergy, Archdeacon J.A. Iluyomade (1969–1985) of blessed memory. He was also the first indigenous head of the school. After him was Rev. (Dr.) Dapo Ajayi (1986–1988) also of blessed memory, then Dapo Fajembola (1990–1991) also of blessed memory. Thereafter came the first female Principal, Esther Adetola Smith (1991–2004). After her was R.O. Akintilebo (2006–2007) who was the first Muslim Principal, Dr. M.B Malik (2007–2017) and Phebean O. Olowe (2017-present). It should be stated that between 2004 and 2006 when the school had internal crises and administrative issues a Non-Academic Staff of the University, Mr. Augustine Onwueme of Blessed memory was assigned by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Odejide as an administrator to manage the affairs of ISI. Mr. Augustine Onwueme was an administrator from June/July, 2004 until his demise in December 2005 on contract basis. [/b]

The school dress code with the emphasis of no HEAD COVER means no scarf, beret or the hijab. Permit me to say that the wearing of Hijab is not on religious bases but cultural (way of life). The region where the mode of dressing emanated from was in the Middle East which is a desert and thus the need to protect their eyes from blindness due to the sand dust. ISI is a private school not funded by any Government or even the University of Ibadan. The University of Ibadan only manages the affairs and administration of the School thus informing as Chairman of the School Governing Council to be the appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of the Institution. This is a school where a praying ground is provided for the Muslims to observe their prayers and if you must know it's because of the Muslims that the school closes on Friday by 12.30pm in other for Muslim students to observe Jumat and they are actually been conveyed to the Mosque in the University for prayers. Also on Sundays, as the Christian students have their Fellowship in school, The Muslim Student Society (MSS) of ISI has one of the staff of the school who comes around on Sunday to anchor the fellowship with them on ISI premises. The Islamic Religion Knowledge /Arabic Language Studies was introduced into the school curriculum by Mr. R. O. Akintilebo during his tenure. He initiated this by engaging tutors who came and teach the students on a part time bases. If ISI is discriminating as claimed by the writers, Mr. R. O. Akintilebo would never be employed to head the school as a Principal. His appointment was on merit as he was one of the teachers in the school. Please tell me, is there any discrimination against the Muslims as petitioned by the unrecognized International School Muslim Parents’ Forum (ISMPF)? Why is it so difficult for people to abide by the rules and regulations of a school? No one forced those clamoring for the use of Hijab to bring their kids to ISI. There are lots of Islamic Secondary schools in Oyo state where without any difficulty they can wear their Hijab. The man who started this madness Abdurrahman Balogun (Chairman of International School Muslim Parents’ Forum {ISMPF}, an association not recognized by the school authorities), in ISI who was distributing the Hijab to the girls at the school car park on Monday 12 November, 2018 enrolled his child last year into JSS1. This is his second year in ISI. Following day, Tuesday 13th November the school management had a PTA meeting and parents made their grievances known to the management. Funny enough some of the parents and the Alumni who attended the PTA meeting to speak were Muslims and they emphasized their displeasure by what their Muslim counterparts are causing in the school. I was at that PTA meeting (being a parent whose child has been attending the school for over three years) and I witnessed all that transpired. An email sent in by one Alhaja Basirat Banke Adeniyi was read by the chairman, Lawyer Kazeem Olaniyi of the recognized PTA in the school (also a Muslim), where she expressed her disappointment over the acts of the ISMPF and suggested by mentioning Muslim schools in Ibadan that these aggrieved parents can take their kids to, if they cannot abide by the rules and regulations of ISI. The culprit of this whole madness, Abdurrahman Balogun who wrote the petition about discrimination of the Muslim students in the school and the need to wear hijab was shut down by majority of the parents from talking, for disrupting the peace of the institution which has been established over 55years where the students are all tutored together irrespective of their religion or ethnic differences. Parents at the meeting were even asking what form of discrimination was experienced by these Muslim children, none was ever mentioned. The governing council however met on Wednesday 14 November and gave their final verdict that the school will maintain its status quo one of which is no wearing of any form of head cover and anyone who violates this should not be allowed inside the school premises or the parents should take such kids to other schools where it is permitted to wear any form of head cover such as hijab. The irony about this, is the fact that those parents who are headstrong about the decision of the Governing Council has instructed their daughters to wear the hijab thus hindering their entering the school premises and attending their classes. These are the girls seen outside the school gate with their hijab on, 8 of them in number. While other Muslim parents abided by the school authorities and Governing Council verdict, instructed their girls to remove their hijab so that they can be allowed to enter the school premises and continue with their classes. These other 8 girls have been attending the school without Hijab for years until their parents are woken from their slumber by this spoiler and enemy of peace, Abdurrahman Balogun whom was said to have established the ISI Muslim Parents Association Forum. An illegal association not recognised by the school authorities aside from the PTA. Funny thing is his own child is attending classes. Do you know why? His child is a boy while those who are supporting his cause have their kids to be girls and with the new rule of no wearing of hijab they are denied access into the school. I rest my case. But the question are: Will the wearing of hijab make their girls more brilliant or better still take them to heaven? If the foreign Christians who established the school had said strictly no other person of other religion except from Christianity should attend, maybe this problem would not have emerged. The Muslim parents who are supporting this cause some of them actually got educated through their attendance of mission schools owned by Catholics, Methodist, Baptist and Anglican. I went to St. Louis Girls Secondary School Mokola and the late Arisekola Alao's daughter Fatima who was a junior attended and her other siblings attended ISI. Also the Baale of Bodija Alhaji Rasheed Adesokan two daughters, Folake and Tolani attended my school (St. Louis) in fact Folake was my mate. Although she was taken away in her final year because Folake actually converted to a Christian of her own free will. We have Muslims sending their children to Christian Private owned Universities like Babcock, Bowen, Covenant, Redeemers and so on. Why can’t they agitate for wearing of Hijab in this private owned tertiary institutions, if they can clamour for such in ISI which is equally a private owned Secondary School. At least I know there are Muslim owned universities like Cresecent University in Abeokuta and Fountain University at Osogbo all in South West. One can go on and on about this. It's all optional and choice you don't have to force your own religion doctrines on others violating the laid down rules and then going about spreading false information of discrimination against Muslim students.

Dr. Olufunke Adegoke
Lecturer, Department of Sociology,
University of Ibadan

herkeem:
#From_a_Muslim_Parent
#Pls_share_widely

HIJAB PALAVER IN ISI: MATTERS ARISING

As a parent of students of ISI who believe in the call for the use of hijab in the school, I consider it appropriate to put forth some points. I also realised that I need to state the following in order to place my submission in the right context;

1. The call for use of hijab in ISI is solely because it is an inalienable right that of the Muslim girls. Islam requires that all Muslim women use the hijab; the constitution of Nigeria guarantees the right to use it.

2. Not all Muslims conform to the codes of Islam in the same manner; hence the call is for the Muslim girls who are willing to use it.

3. I found it difficult to understand why someone would say my child is not entitled to such a right because (s)he feels so. Why play ‘the dog in the manger’? I was stunned beyond imagination when a parent, at the PTA meeting, said his child cannot be in the same class with a hijab-wearing girl! How would my girl’s hijab disturb his child in the same class? How did we get to this level of hatred for one another because we express different religions? This is a time bomb!

4. When someone, at the PTA meeting, encouraged the ISI school management to go to court on the matter, the Christians shouted thunderous No! In essence, they are opposed to civil way of resolution and rely on their ability/capacity to force their ways of life on the Muslims.

5. It was the ISI management that disrupted school activities and not the Muslim parents. At the PTA meeting, we were told that the school administration decided to withhold their services because some girls used hijab.

6. The colonial missionaries deprived our fathers access to education; they gave them the option of either changing their faith or get educated. The next generation that ventured into education were oppressed by imposing Christian doctrines on them, vestiges of which still remain till today. The Muslims have been subjected to generational oppression. I assert the way the ISI administration’s intent is to perpetuate the generational oppression on our children. This has to stop at a point in time.

7. ISI is not a secular school; it is a multi-religion community, which is why Christian Religious Knowledge and Islamic Studies are taught in the school. A secular system does not recognise any religion.

8. ISI allowed the teaching of Islamic Studies after 43 years of its existence, whereas Bible knowledge has been taught from inception. Even at that, the University of Ibadan Muslim community paid the salaries of the Islamic Studies teachers for two years. Where is fairness here?

9. Preventing hijab use in ISI hitherto is a tradition. There is no mention of “No to use of head cover” in ISI’s School Rules and Regulations.

10. An international school should be accommodating of the expected diversity in humanity than is displayed in this scenario. Some parents expressed that it is of Christian orientation and should remain so; this is localising the international school. It is not good for the institution.

11. Peace should be based on justice and not a situation where some people lord their desires over others while the oppressed go to silence grudgingly. That is peace of the graveyard!

I was surprised when I saw the write up of a sociology scholar of University of Ibadan on this matter. The basis of my apprehension is that when the government decides to do things right, they would consult the scholars in order to provide evidence-based policies. If her submissions in the write-up represent the mind of a sociology scholar in Nigeria, this truly calls for concern.

To be specific, I found the following submission of hers quite disturbing;

1. My understanding of her statement _“If the foreign Christians who established the school had said strictly no other person of other religion except from Christianity should attend, maybe this problem would not have emerged”_ is that Muslims should consider it a privilege to be allowed any stake in that school. If this is what she meant, I am quite dazed and wondered if her career is sufficient to tame her bigotry. This probably informed her misplaced ‘advice’ of where Muslim parents should have taken their children. I expect her to know that segregating our children in such tender ages will not lead to any good for our society in the nearest future. Children of different religious affiliations should relate and appreciate the differences so that they can learn to tolerate one another in the larger society. It is surprising that a sociology scholar was actually speaking against what she should be speaking for!

2. The submission that _“the Muslim parents who are supporting this cause some of them actually got educated through their attendance of mission schools owned by Catholics, Methodist, Baptist and Anglican”_ suggests that she expects the Muslims to have been attenuated enough not to see the need to ask for the right of their children. Yes, we were forced to join the Christian fellowship sessions at schools; some of us still have Songs of Praise rhymes in our memories till now, but oppression will have to come to an end at a point in time. Her knowledge of society should have taught her that at a point in time, a people will become conscious of their identity and would want to express it.

3. Her reference to the call for hijab use as madness revealed her bigotry. A competent sociologist should appreciate a potent voice of disagreement and should advice the powers that be to address it. To disregard genuine complaints, and call it madness is to wait for implosion that may lead to social disharmony. By attempting to muffle voices of disagreement or treating genuine complaints with dismissal is to call for societal upheaval. This is basically because those who have come to the consciousness of their rights cannot be repressed all the time.

4. When the sociology scholar ventured to state that _“Permit me to say that the wearing of Hijab is not on religious bases but cultural (way of life). The region where the mode of dressing emanated from was in the Middle East which is a desert and thus the need to protect their eyes from blindness due to the sand dust”_, I marvelled at the display of ignorance. How can such a scholar arrogate to herself the authority to guide people of other religion in which she knows nothing about? Qur’aan 24 verse 31 gave specific instruction about the use of hijab.

I hereby submit that we found ourselves in this multi-religious society, not by our choice but by divine design; what we make of it is up to us. Let us live and allow others to live. Tolerance is the watch word; I my right does not infringe on yours there is no need for you to try to stop me from having right.

Akande Lasisi is a Muslim Parent

Uncle Lasisi, what is so difficult to understand in "The school does not allow it", why are these extremists so stubborn? Take your child elsewhere if the hijab is more important to you than the quality education ISI provides. Please don't come and scatter the peace we are enjoying in the south-west o, abi which kin wahala be dis sef?

Ibrahimmrfish:
Which part of the north? Please provide names and links backup your lies.I did my service in Kebbi state and i was posted to a secondary school and i never saw i single Christian girl wearing a hijab.

Kaduna.Even female teachers are made to cover their heads.

GoTV:
Even though I'm a born again Christian, i think Muslims are been marginalized and their rights are trampled upon in most Southern schools. We Christians should better realize that Nigeria is a secular country dominated by Muslims wether we like it or not. Most schools pray the Christian way without considering the faith of Muslims and yet we Christians still refuse to let Muslims wear an harmless Hijab I hope Muric and other Muslim groups reject this open hypocrisy of we Christians

GoTV:
We Christians are the problem of this country. Our bible is full of lies meant to brainwash humanity. I regret being a Christian

You are a bloody Moooslim.
Stop the hypocritical camouflage.

GoTV:




Every sane female is meant to cover her hair

Why?
I am sane and i don't cover my head.

Reference:
The very existence of life depends on personal liberties. Without laws there will be no sin. It is the making of laws that has brought these offenses and scattered the people, driving them to divisive destruction.

Let the people live the way they want.

Not in a privately run school.

gratiaeo:
Muslims are worst set of people in the world.

mr slowpoke,just as Christians are the most hypocrites in the world

jrusky:


They are like that and they will claimed it belong to them.

I just don't like this people a bit. I prefer to stay comfortably with African traditional worshipers than staying comfortably with these demonic set of people called Muslim filled with hatred towards humanity.

Every trouble in the world today they are the one behind it non of their region is in peace except Saudi the rest are kingdom of hell.

Somalia
Afghanistan
Yemen
Qatar
Iran
Iraq
Pakistan
Sudan
Northern Nigeria
Indonesia
Mali
Burkina Faso
Algeria
Libya etc
These are the axis of evil blood sucking vampire and it all be long to that same religion Islam. Pls cant these people just once in their lives ask themselves a question like*why is it only us always enjoy bloodshed and trouble among every other religion*?

Who did u think re behind the killings in those country above? If not the hypocrisy of the christians & jews.
The religion keep growing in spite ur hypocrisy.

lexy2014:


Being a public school or private school isn't d issue. D issue is that d school has rules which should b applied on all irrespective of religion.

and the rule is simply "no use of hijab" so why are the Muslim finding hard to adhere

abdulskulboy:

Who did u think re behind the killings in those country above? If not the hypocrisy of the christians & jews.
The religion keep growing in spite ur hypocrisy.

You slowpoke, so boko haram, Fulani herdsmen and shites are Christians abi. Get behind me Satan. Islam and Muslims are the greatest problem of this world. Without you people the world will be a peaceful place.

Jidibia:

You slowpoke, so boko haram, Fulani herdsmen and shites are Christians abi. Get behind me Satan. Islam and Muslims are the greatest problem of this world. Without you people the world will be a peaceful place.

You have eye, but u can't see, you have ear, but u can't hear. Post it here what this chapt. of the bible says. Matthew 26:39 if indeed u re christian. post it b4 we continues

Ibrahimmrfish:
Shit head,christains in Nigeria are so full of hate,you are a perfect example of that.What is your problem? How is wearing hijab by Muslim girls turning out to be an issue to you guys? Last time i checked no one is trying to put it on the heads of Christians children so what on earth is wrong with you people.Its a public school so it can never be run with only Christian or Western identity.

What is Christian or Western identity in school children wearing plain UNIFORM devoid of religion insigna?
I don't think it is possible to be religious and be rational.

nwanyionitsha:
Why?
I am sane and i don't cover my head.

You re sane as a christian, you don't cover ur head and ur proud to mention. Its means that u don't the bible.

We had tradition before the two imported ones came. There should be no problem at this juncture, everybody should dress in their religious clothes and case closed. Though, i'm a Christian, our traditional religion remains superior to the two imported.

Ibrahimmrfish:
So what you are saying is if i am a principal in a public school and i decided to make hijab a most to wear in school,the Christian parents should keep quiet or send their children to another school.Can you hear yourself speaking? Do you know how stupid you sound?

The school in question is not a public school.

EXPLAINING THE HIJAB TO NON-MUSLIMS
By Nojeem Jimoh

Last Sunday (18/11/2018), I attended the Grand Finale of the 10 years' anniversary of the pre-eminent Muslim organisation in the South-Western part of Nigeria (Muslims of South West Nigeria - better known as MUSWEN). In attendance was - among others - His Excellency, Governor Abiola Ajimobi. Not known publicly as the most devoted of Muslims - it is fair to say His Excellency doesn't carry his Muslim badge on the forehead - Professor Dawud Noibi, Executive Secretary of MUSWEN stepped forward just ahead of the Governor's speech to intimate the audience of how forward-looking His Excellency had been in terms of relations with Muslims of Oyo State.

This Governor who is not 'in your face' with his Islam would appear one of the best-ever in the history of the State as far as creating enabling environment for Muslims (and Muslim pupils) to practice their faith is concerned. Among the many encomiums poured on him (and Professor Dawud Olatokunbo Noibi does not praise people cheaply) is the fiat with which he pronounced the permissibility of the hijab on school uniforms in Oyo State. A settled matter as far as Oyo State is concerned.

But here we are! The hijab is in the news again - and, ironically, from Oyo State. The gates of the International School, Ibadan (ISI) are currently closed as parents of Muslim children insist their children should be allowed to wear their hijabs. I am aware that ISI is an 'independent' school which does not come under the purview of the Oyo State Government. I will address this 'independence' very soon. My mission here is to explain to our non-Muslim friends why this hijab issue keeps coming up.

Among the many comments I have read from non-Muslim (and some Muslim) commentators is that allowing Muslim children to wear the hijab would invariably lead to agitation by people of other faiths to be allowed to wear similar outfits that are consistent with their faiths. This is where (Christians especially) get it wrong.

Hijab is compulsory for all Muslim girls once they attain the age of puberty - which I understand can be from as young as the age of 11 years. The argument from non-Muslims is that those who go to Celestial Church of Christ, for instance, would equally ask to be allowed to wear their Sultana. Apologies to my Christian friends, but this is a faulty comparison or analogy. Hijab is compulsory for Muslim girls once they are in an environment in which they can be seen by non-family; the Sultana is not compulsory - at least not outside the church. You can extend this argument to all other faiths - including those who follow the African Traditional Religion.

The one simple fact that non-Muslims refuse to embrace is that our girls (other than in situations of lack of understanding or weakness of faith) do not have a choice on the hijab. It is a must-wear once they are in a public space. If there are similar items of clothing (compulsory) for non-Muslim children to wear in a public space as a mark of believe, Muslims world-wide would support the struggle to ensure such are respected and honoured. For the sake of emphasis, the hijab is compulsory and is not comparable to white church garments, Eku that masquerades wear or other pieces of clothing that non-Muslims have a choice about.

What about the argument that Muslims who wish for their children to wear the hijab should take them to Muslim schools. This cannot be tenable in schools funded by the government. Effectively, Muslim children would be denied access to very good schools which are neither privately owned nor solely funded by non-Muslims. How can this be fair? I have heard the argument that ISI is an independent school. This independence needs to be defined because ISI is an integral part of the University of Ibadan - which is a Federal Government institution - owned equally by Nigerian Muslims, Christians and Atheists. How can you leave a critical section of the community out of this institution on the basis of their religion?

So, how come no one demanded to wear the hijab in the 55 years or so of the existence of ISI? We (as Muslims) accept the blame for this, but can people be wrong for gaining increased awareness of their faith and striving to be better Muslims?

Can Christian children come to a Muslim school and ask to wear their Christian outfits? No. For as long as it is a Muslim school, privately funded and established as a school for Muslim children. By the same token, Muslim children cannot go to a private school, privately-funded and clearly marked as a school set up for Christian children, and demand to wear the hijab. ISI is not a Christian school. It belongs as much to Muslims as it does to Christians.

BEST PRACTICE EXAMPLES FROM THE UK

FACT 1. My daughter (my own biological daughter) did part of her secondary school in London. She wore her hijab for every day that she was in that London school and no one saw it as an issue. The same girl had previously completed her primary school in another part of London where Muslim girls wore their hijabs free of harassment or questions. Neither of these schools was a Muslim school.

Christianity came to Nigeria from the UK. If the very people who brought Christianity to us do not have an issue about girls wearing their hijabs in state-funded schools, why is it an issue for us in Nigeria?

FACT 2. Before my very eyes, the Metropolitan Police in London introduced the hijab as part of the uniform to be worn by female police officers who wish to do so. You do not even have to be a Muslim to wear it; it is free for all. As I write, female Muslim police officers (who wish to do so) wear the hijab in the UK. Christian officers have not, as a result, asked for a special uniform for Christians. Why? Because they understand the simple argument that the hijab is compulsory for mature girls and women in Islam. This is maturity.

FACT 3. Two or three years ago (and I shared the post here with a link to the original story), the UK Education Authority voluntarily changed the dates of the GCSE Mathematics and English examinations because the original dates fell in Ramadan. The dates were changed, not because the Muslims asked for it, but because the education authority does not want the Muslim children disadvantaged. This is the height of religious tolerance from the home of Christianity and you wouldn't find a better example elsewhere.

FACT 4. Two years or so ago when the argument raged over the refusal of the Council of Legal Education to allow Firdaws Amasa her right to be called to the Nigerian bar, the then president of the Nigerian Bar Association published photographs of her daughter as she was called to the American Bar donning her hijab. Trump's America. Most senior lawyers took the view that the Council of Legal Education could not successfully defend their position in Court. Today, Firdaws has been called to bar - and she was called wearing her hijab.

FACT 5. Muslim girls wear their hijab freely to school in northern Nigeria without it being a subject of discussion. Is Southwest Nigeria not part of the country?

If this hijab is so compulsory, how come so many Muslim ladies do not wear it? As I wrote earlier, this merely shows either a lack of understanding, but most likely a weakness of faith. This does not make it the standard. And you would be surprised that the same lady who does not herself wear the hijab, is the one fighting for her daughter to be allowed to do so. There you go! Most of us (Muslims and Christians alike) are more religious than our parents - just as our children are likely to be more religious than us. Isn't this our prayer?

In conclusion therefore, the most important of all the points that I have made here - and the one that I want non-Muslim friends and associates to take home - is that the hijab is not optional. It is not something you choose to do or not do. It is compulsory - be it in school, hospital, bus stop, motor park and even at parties. If we understand this point - and I believe I have made it clear enough to understand, then no non-Muslim can legitimately advance the argument that it would lead to agitation by adherents of other faiths to also wear symbols of their faith. And this includes the Cross.

Vicolan:
Why are we always having issues on Religion in Nigeria? This suck.. And we ain't that righteous thou....

Having issues on Islam and muslims like others who naively accepted it.