Female Muslim students are now allowed to use hijab in public schools in Lagos State according to a circular by the state’s area unit of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN). A Lagos high court had in October 2014, ruled against the use of hijabs in schools, but the judgement was later upturned by an appeal court in July 2016.
Unhappy with the verdict, the state government took the case to the supreme court. It subsequently placed a ban on the use of hijab in August 2018.
However, in a new circular, the state government asked that status quo be maintained in order to avoid contempt of court. It, however, said the hijab must be “short, smart, neat and in the same colour of the uniform (skirt).
The circular reads: “Furthermore, schools management are advised to downplay comments and disciplinary actions on the use of smart Hijabs until the final determination of the case by Supreme Court. “No student should be discriminated against in any form on the basis of religion. All principals and teachers must be sensitized to comply accordingly. You are enjoined to adhere strictly to these recommendations.”
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