The Muslim Students' Society of Nigeria has called on government at all levels, including Nigerians to be wary of brewing religious intolerance in their territories.
The Amir of the MSSN Lagos State Area Unit, Saheed Ashafa, said this in a press statement to condemn attacks allegedly unleashed on Muslims in various states.
The leader of Muslim students in Lagos State explained that the current economic depression in Nigeria was beginning to have psychological effects that could spur anger easily among people if their rights were continually tampered with.
Ashafa said, "No doubt, the nation's economy is not in the best shape we all want it to be yet. There is inflation and limited availability of jobs. Many families are struggling to survive with the hope and understanding that the efforts of the Federal Government will yield result soon.
"If the growing cases of religious intolerance is allowed to continue without adequate intervention from appropriate quarters, it may be greeted with an unpredictable and damaging reaction.
"Our plea is that government at all levels and Nigerians, especially people from other faith should not tamper with laws and injunctions protecting the right to wear the Hijab (Muslim head scarf) in public institutions, including schools. Doing so will not help our economy and could degenerate into religious crisis, which will worsen the current economic depression and hardship experienced in the country."
Ashafa also warned invigilators and supervisors at the ongoing General Certificate of Examination (GCE) conducted by the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) not to disturb any Muslim student for putting on hijab to the examination hall.
"We are not against security checks, provided it is done moderately. However, we frown and will not hesitate to take drastic action against centres or invigilators that harass, intimidate, delay or prevent from writing examination a muslim female candidate on the ground of wearing hijab," he added.
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
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