CAN appeals to Lagos govt to reverse court ruling on hijab

The Lagos State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has expressed displeasure over Thursday’s Court of Appeal ruling (by a special five-man panel presided by Justice Ali Gumel) to lift the ban on Muslim female students wearing hijab (Muslim female head cover) to public primary and secondary schools in the state. It has, therefore, appealed to the state government to take all legal steps immediately to reverse the judgment, as not doing so would imply Islamising the state.

In a statement signed by the chapter’s secretary, Elder (Dr.) Israel Akinadewo, the association stated that the state was a cosmopolitan one, in which the development and peace, that all had witnessed over the years, could be credited to the cordial relationship between the leadership of the Christians and Muslims, and also their co-operation with successive governments.

“Some of these public schools are missionary schools, bearing Christian names, hence any implementation of this judgment is tantamount to Islamising the state of excellence.

“The Christian and Muslim leaders are both members of Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) in Lagos, and we have worked perfectly well together. We can only appeal to the State Government to take all legal steps immediately, in reversing this judgment, before the Mega City vision for Lagos State is destroyed through religious extremism.”