A group, Coalition of Nigeria Muslim Women on Tuesday called on the National Assembly (NASS) to speedily pass the Religious Discrimination (Prohibition, Prevention) Bill 2021 which has passed second reading.
Specifically, the group urged the lawmakers to prevent the Bill from entering the basement of discarded bills, saying the passage of the bill will be worthwhile for posterity.
Member Women in Da’awah, and Disaster Manager at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Hajiya Maryam Ahman made this known at the 9th World Hijab Day held in Abuja.
She called on NASS to introduce and pass laws that serve the interest of all citizens and which protect the rights and freedoms of all to education, health, employment, finance, home ownership, careers, regardless of what one wears.
Speaking on the 2022 Theme “Hijab is our Crown not our Crime”, Ahman noted that the awareness creation was aimed at creating mutual respect among global citizens and disclaiming bigotry and prejudice against Muslim women.
“This year, we want to showcase the hijab as a symbol of freedom to follow the human being’s natural disposition as pre- designed by our creator to live according to his will and purpose.
“Both men and women are designed by Allah to promote the natural equilibrium on Earth as his Representatives. Both are therefore expected to showcase decency, modesty and responsibility in actions and appearance” she said.
Ahman explained that a lot of gains have been recorded globally in changing the perception of the hijab, “since we joined the global crusade”.
Continuing, she said the coalition has not changed its focus of constructive engagement with all relevant stakeholders and the general Nigeria public, adding that this stance aims to drive the simple message that the hijab is the Muslim Woman and she is the hijab.
Similarly and speaking on the sideline, Hajiya Rahama Musa Sani stated “all we are saying is that when you see a Muslim woman in hijab, don’t look at her as if she has a choice, it is her fundamental right to dress the way she has appeared, because there is freedom of religion.
“We should be supported to worship our creator fully, because in Islam you don’t chose what you want to do; just like fasting, prayers and hajj are obligatory upon us, hijab is even more important than our prayers, because as a Muslim woman you cannot pray when you are not properly dressed”.
The coalition of Nigeria Muslim Women is made up of groups such as FOMWAN, NASFAT, Women in Da’awah, Ansarudeen, Al-Habibiya, JADAFIA, Abuja Muslim Forum, Al-Mu’minat, An-nisa foundation, Sisters of Jannah, The Criterion, Initiative for Muslim Sisters, Hidaya Islamic Charity, among others.
February 1st of every year is marked as World Hijab Day globally.
