Like other Muslim bodies, the lawyers agree with Firdaus Amasa and disagree with the law school.
The Muslim Lawyers’ Association of Nigeria (MULAN) has reacted to the recent Hijab controversy.
There was a debate after the Nigerian Law School refused to allow Firdaus Amasa enter the venue of the ‘Call to Bar’ for wearing her hijab.
Punch reports that MULAN says the recent refusal is unlawful while appreciating the lawyer’s courage.
The statement reads: “On the issue of discrimination, humiliation and the subsequent denial of calling Firdaus Al-Jannah Amasa to the Nigerian Bar, MULAN maintains that the position of the law remains as decided by the Court of Appeal in its judgment in ‘The Provost, Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin & 2 Ors v. Bashirat Saliu & 2 Ors (CA/IL/49/2006), and Asiyah & Ors v. LASG & Ors (2016), 15 NWLR (Pt 1535) 117, where the court declared that the use of hijab by female Muslim students constitutes an act of worship, hence the refusal to allow the appellants wear it on their uniform is a clear infraction of their rights.
“This remains the position of the law and it is unlawful to deprive female Muslims of putting on the hijab in government-owned institutions.
“The association salutes Amasa’s courage and defiance in standing up for her rights and adhering to the tenets of her religion.
“MULAN is also not oblivious of the lopsided tilt of our legal system. Muslim lawyers have been subjected to conform to certain practices and adorn themselves with paraphernalia like the wig and gown that have Judeo/Christian neo-colonialist origin without complaint.
“MULAN has set up a nine-man committee to meet and make representations to all relevant authorities in order to ensure that the issue is justly determined.”
This declaration was made after a three-day extra-ordinary National Executive Committee meeting.
The statement was released on Monday, December 25, 2017, in Katsina state. It was signed by the association’s National President, Dr. Kamal Dawud.
Other reactions
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has also weighed in on the hijab debate.
Like the MULAN, the group hailed the female lawyer for standing up for her faith as they called for religious discrimination to be stopped.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Sa’ad has also condemned the Nigerian Law School for its actions.
According to him, the hijab is a sign of decency and mode of dressing for any woman.