Nigeria: Law student not called to the bar for wearing hijab

A Nigerian law student missed out on the chance to be called to the bar when she refused to remove her hijab before entering the venue for the graduation ceremony.

Amasa Firdaus, who is a student of the University of Ilorin had worn her hijab for the ceremony on Wednesday but was asked by officials to take it off in order to gain entry into the International Conference Centre where the call to bar ceremony was taking place.

Firdaus according to The Nigerian Lawyer insisted on wearing her wig on top of her Hijab as she usually does.

She protested the decision to deny her access to the venue for the ceremony and described the actions of the university not to call her to the bar as a violation of her right to freedom of religion per the Nigerian constitution.

Some Nigerians have taken to social media to comment on the issue with some criticising the action of the Nigerian officials claiming that Muslims are treated poorly in the legal profession.

Good morning everyone, I want to use this medium to express my dissatisfaction with the way muslims are treated in this my profession called ‘LAW’. A sister wasn’t called to the bar because she was dressed like that (Picture above) please for God sake what is wrong with that picture? Because she was putting on a small hijab tucked into her collarette, WHY? What has Hijab done to them? Where is our freedom of Religion as stated in the constitution? We need justice…For those that don’t know, Hijab is a MANDATORY part of my religion not just a piece of clothing, so if my freedom of religion is said to have been guaranteed in section 38 of the constitution of my country that is said to be supreme and have have binding force over all as seen in section 1 of this same constitution and Section 42 of this same constitution guarantees my right to freedom from discrimination, please for God sake what is this then and before you come here attack me, please read section 38 (1) and section 1 (1) first and also go ahead to read S1 (3) of this same constitution with an unbiased mind where it is said that if any other law is inconsistent with the provisions of this constitution this constitution shall prevail…B’iko what are we now talking about? Please we want justice. We want our hijab we want #JusticeForFirdaus We want to wear our hijabs for call to bar we want to wear it in the court room. Stop the discrimination We are muslims not terrorists Hijab is Mandatory We want Justice for Firdaus @instablog9ja @officiallindaikeji @lindaikejiblog @soundsultan @iamvjadams @cyberbugzie @omojuwa @daddyfreeze @channelstelevision @aitnews @muslimsconnectnaija

A post shared by Ruqayah Atinuke RAHMON (@savvy_ruqqy) on Dec 14, 2017 at 12:31am PST

I feel the hijab babe has made her choice.

Wearing The hijab is more important than becoming a Nigerian Lawyer.

Why all this fuss?

— Billionaire Zaddy (@The_TamaraJay) December 15, 2017

Underneath it all, you’ll find good ole patriarchy at the root of the issue, cos you know, what else would dare dictate what a woman wears? -Bikini or burkini, nun habit or hijab, maxis or muted nudes…?
BTW, women were NOT allowed to wear trousers in US congress till In 1969..

— Juliet ‘Kego (@julietkego) December 15, 2017

This Hijab issue is so hilarious!

Your WCW spent 5 years in the University studying THE LAW, spent an extra year at the LAW SCHOOL to know THE LAW.

Then on the D day, she decided to break THE LAW?

She played herself.
Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s.

— 9jaWitches ?‍♀️?? (@badgalmaddie_) December 15, 2017

#EndDiscriminationAgainstHijab the oyinbos who dashed you wig and gown are beginning to recognise diverse faith based dress codes in different professions. Call the lady to bar. Interesting how Twitter HUMAN LIES activists went blind on this. pic.twitter.com/wlJw88E4eI

— Kayode Ogundamisi (@ogundamisi) December 14, 2017

Source: Africafeeds.com