RAUF AREGBESOLA REPLIES CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA OVER THE WEARING OF HIJAB TO SCHOOL

t will be helpful if newspapers stick to the axiom of journalism which states that facts are sacred, comments are free. Otherwise, society might be in serious jeopardy.

The state government of Osun has not at anytime endorsed the use of hijab has reported here. What the two religious bodies of Islam and Christianity have been demanding is for the approval or disapproval of the use of hijab depending on the side of the divide that suites each of the parties. Government however encourages the two bodies to seek the consent of the court on the matter. The court in its preliminary ruling on the matter declared that status quo ante must be maintained. This is what the government is strictly observing.

We need to know what is the genesis of this current impasse. There was a reclassification of schools which led movement of students from some schools to the other. In this case, Students were moved from the United Methodist High School and St. Mary Catholic College to the Baptist High School, Iwo. 25 of the students from these two schools have been wearing hijab in their respective schools.

On getting to the Baptist High School, the Baptist Association disallowed them from wearing hijab, because of the Christian heritage of their school. Although this school bears a Christian name, it is now absolutely owned by the government since 38 years ago. The issue now is should the government pander to the whims of those who do not have any legitimate claim over a school to the detriment of innocent students seeking knowledge? Methinks, the answer is no. Government is there to protect the weak against the strong and maintain an equitable society.