The Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has expressed displeasure over the suspension of a hijab-wearing student of the International School of the University of Ibadan, Ikhlas Badiru.
The MURIC Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, in a statement on Monday, expressed dismay over the incident.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that, Ms Badiru was on September 26, suspended on account of her hijab.
The suspension was handed down by the school principal, Phebean Olowe.
In its reaction, MURIC declared September 11 Ikhlas Day.
He said “the day would be for peaceful demonstrations in and around UI in solidarity with our sister, Ikhlas Badiru.”
Mr Akintola said the slogan for the day would henceforth be “Suspend One, Suspend All. I am Ikhlas.”
He therefore called on all members of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria in and around Ibadan and the Oyo State chapter of MURIC to join their brothers and sisters in UI, on that day.
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Reacting to the principal’s judgment, Mr Akintola said “it is crystal clear that the school principal has very poor crisis management skill and she manifests desertification of damage control techniques.”
He urged Nigerians to note what happened in ISI, adding that Muslim children are being stigmatised for wearing just an ordinary headscarf, not for engaging in cultism or for cheating in examinations.
He noted that “hijabs had been allowed in schools all over Europe and America, where the Muslim population is infinitesimally low.”
Mr Akintola lamented how Muslim children are being tyrannically profiled in Nigeria where the Muslim population cannot be said to be a minority.
He called on the UI authorities to take full charge of the situation before it is too late.
“The UI cannot abdicate its responsibilities and still remain a citadel of learning and a center of excellence.
“It is now or never. It is just a warning shot and we hope those who have ears will hear,” he said.
