Why Hijab Shouldn't be Ban in Public: Response to a Unity Train Passenger.
Unity FM 93.3 Jos have a five working days morning program it call 'The Unity Train' whose driver happened to be the sagacious Bello Lukman. A program you'll not afford missing whenever on the Plateau. It is somehow agreed that every listener to be term a passenger. On Friday, December 11 2015, there was a twin bomb blast at the Jos Terminus market. It was later gathered that a woman in Hijab was seen prior to the blast and alleged to be the bomber.
There were reactions all over the country. Especially on the future of Hijab. While we mourn our deceased on the Unity Train, a passenger by the name M. Y. from University of Jos with me onboard reacting to the twin blasts called in to pose a question with anger to Mr. Lukman which read:
"BELLO GIVE ME FIVE (5) GOOD REASONS WHY HIJAB SHOULD NOT BE BAN IN PUBLIC!"
To my expectation, all Mr. Lukman could utter was "Uhmmm, I heard you M. Y."
Of course, I expected him not to respond, on air, because at the moment, that might hinder our steady drive. I also reserved myself to call in. I watch critically into those making comments on his Facebook posts since Friday with the hope of catching a glance at the gentleman, but to no avail. I believe, somewhere somehow, he might be following him online. So I came up with this piece purposely for him and all with common questions.
To start with, the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria states that:
"Every person shall be entitled to Freedom of thought, conscience and religion, INCLUDING the Freedom to change his religion or belief and Freedom to MANIFEST AND PROPAGATE HIS RELIGION OR BELIEF IN WORSHIP, TEACHINGS, PRACTICE OR OBSERVANCE (Nig. Const., Ch.4, Section 38, Subsection 1)."
I don't know to which faith you belonged. But I expect more you're of the Christian faith. On whatever ground, Islam give an open space for us to put down our cases, come to term, with wisdom and ways that are most gracious (Qur'an 16:125). And so do the Bible (1 Thessalonians 5: 21), almost the same.
For those who might not know, Hijab, the Islamic veil or scarf refers to the loose-fitting, plain and opaque outer garments which cover a Muslim woman’s body. In Islam, Hijab is never a "religious symbol" as the Cross to Christians or the dove is for Peace. No! It is part and parcel of the faith itself as Allah ordained (Qur'an 33:59). Men too, have their own system of Hijab(ing).
But I wonder why the call/support on banning Hijab. Could it be because you are a fanatic secularist, just being faithful? Christian or you just wanted to show your hatred toward he attire? The later two are for now my best assertions.
If being a faithful Christian was what made you utter such, then I pity your ignorance of the Christian faith. Which to me, that's the case! I believe you will be aware, that just as Muslum women wear Hijab in public today, many nuns and devout women of the Orthodox, Catholic, Near Eastern and African churches still wear the 'Christian veil.'
St. Paul, the self appointed priest (as criticized most scholars even within Christianity) and the sole founder of Christianity in what would form part of 'the New Testament' obligated the then practice of the veil for all 'faithful women' (please read 1 Corinthians 11:4-10).
St. Tertullian, the first man to formulate all the idea surrounding Trinity in his treatise titled 'ON THE VEILING OF VIRGIN,' he obliged its (veil) use on the STREET & at HOME where he wrote (or rather commanded that): "Young women, you wear your veils out on the streets, so you should wear them in the church; you to wear them when you are among strangers, then wear them among your brothers."
Even before Boko Haram, today's propaganda and hatred on Hijab or veiling in it entirety ignited from France's actions! I urge you, if you are a Christian to do your home work on 'France and the Catholic Church.' Only then, you'll smell the rotten in the campaign.
I am one of those who believe Nigeria isn't a Secular state. The fact that we all have rights to exercise our faith accordingly answers it all.
Only if an average non-Muslim woman wearing blouse will be allow to walk the street NAKED (God forbid), then, I think, a practicing Muslim woman may consider walking the street without Hijab.
Framing laws to ban only Islamic forms of dress could be considered an attack on the religion. Feeling under attack could cause the Islamic community to close off into itself. They could set up religious schools where their children can dress as they want them to and not mix with children from other faiths. As the case may be in Lagos sate. These effects, as the sociologist may argue could never be good for the integration of society and would further the influence of what is today label as 'extremism.'
Internationally, the perceived attack on Islamic values would inflame wider Muslim opinion, feed conspiracy theories and add to the dangerous feeling that there is a clash of civilisations.
SUICIDE BOMBING? I know this might be your major reason Mr. M. Y. If that been the case, permit me to take you back little into history, do you know that the first recorded suicide bombing came from Christian soldiers during the Crusades to free the Holy City of Jerusalem from the control of Muslim Armies?! Maybe that was the reason in the 19th century France banned the nuns from using their veils. I bet you never know this. And though I wouldn't want to dwell into this, I still want to remind you of the number of non-Muslims caught well planted with bombs, here in Jos and elsewhere. With and without Hijab!
For no reason whatsoever should a practicing Muslim woman be denied her religious rights. So also a Christian Catholic nun who love to define herself wearing the veil. We all know that Hijab, beard, cross, trousers above the ankles are not the problem of our country. Our government know well how to handle the case of Boko Haram but maybe deliberately ignoring it.
It is my duty and your duty to stand still against all injustice done to anyone by anyone. We all are victims of this senseless and unGodly actions either directly or indirectly.
It is my prayer and hope, that this piece hit its target & shall not be misunderstood by any as a tool of provocation. But as a means of clearing misconception(s) among people of different thoughts and opinion, ethnicity and religion. I seek refuge in Allah from the Devil and his evil plot against you & I.
GOD BLESS NIGERIA.
First written on December 14th, 2014.
There were reactions all over the country. Especially on the future of Hijab. While we mourn our deceased on the Unity Train, a passenger by the name M. Y. from University of Jos with me onboard reacting to the twin blasts called in to pose a question with anger to Mr. Lukman which read:
"BELLO GIVE ME FIVE (5) GOOD REASONS WHY HIJAB SHOULD NOT BE BAN IN PUBLIC!"
To my expectation, all Mr. Lukman could utter was "Uhmmm, I heard you M. Y."
Of course, I expected him not to respond, on air, because at the moment, that might hinder our steady drive. I also reserved myself to call in. I watch critically into those making comments on his Facebook posts since Friday with the hope of catching a glance at the gentleman, but to no avail. I believe, somewhere somehow, he might be following him online. So I came up with this piece purposely for him and all with common questions.
To start with, the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria states that:
"Every person shall be entitled to Freedom of thought, conscience and religion, INCLUDING the Freedom to change his religion or belief and Freedom to MANIFEST AND PROPAGATE HIS RELIGION OR BELIEF IN WORSHIP, TEACHINGS, PRACTICE OR OBSERVANCE (Nig. Const., Ch.4, Section 38, Subsection 1)."
I don't know to which faith you belonged. But I expect more you're of the Christian faith. On whatever ground, Islam give an open space for us to put down our cases, come to term, with wisdom and ways that are most gracious (Qur'an 16:125). And so do the Bible (1 Thessalonians 5: 21), almost the same.
For those who might not know, Hijab, the Islamic veil or scarf refers to the loose-fitting, plain and opaque outer garments which cover a Muslim woman’s body. In Islam, Hijab is never a "religious symbol" as the Cross to Christians or the dove is for Peace. No! It is part and parcel of the faith itself as Allah ordained (Qur'an 33:59). Men too, have their own system of Hijab(ing).
But I wonder why the call/support on banning Hijab. Could it be because you are a fanatic secularist, just being faithful? Christian or you just wanted to show your hatred toward he attire? The later two are for now my best assertions.
If being a faithful Christian was what made you utter such, then I pity your ignorance of the Christian faith. Which to me, that's the case! I believe you will be aware, that just as Muslum women wear Hijab in public today, many nuns and devout women of the Orthodox, Catholic, Near Eastern and African churches still wear the 'Christian veil.'
St. Paul, the self appointed priest (as criticized most scholars even within Christianity) and the sole founder of Christianity in what would form part of 'the New Testament' obligated the then practice of the veil for all 'faithful women' (please read 1 Corinthians 11:4-10).
St. Tertullian, the first man to formulate all the idea surrounding Trinity in his treatise titled 'ON THE VEILING OF VIRGIN,' he obliged its (veil) use on the STREET & at HOME where he wrote (or rather commanded that): "Young women, you wear your veils out on the streets, so you should wear them in the church; you to wear them when you are among strangers, then wear them among your brothers."
However, most time, for some reasons of mine I don't blame people's ignorance on courses they they represent, propagate and stand to defend. As I write this, countries like Tunisia and Turkey had both banned the use of Hijab in public schools, Universities and government buildings since 1981 & 1997 respectively. So was Syria in 2010 but later lifted in 2011. In Nigeria, this senseless and meaningless motion was proposed but once. It wasn't and shall not be even considered, insha'Allah [Kindly refer to Osun and Lagos state].
Even before Boko Haram, today's propaganda and hatred on Hijab or veiling in it entirety ignited from France's actions! I urge you, if you are a Christian to do your home work on 'France and the Catholic Church.' Only then, you'll smell the rotten in the campaign.
I am one of those who believe Nigeria isn't a Secular state. The fact that we all have rights to exercise our faith accordingly answers it all.
Only if an average non-Muslim woman wearing blouse will be allow to walk the street NAKED (God forbid), then, I think, a practicing Muslim woman may consider walking the street without Hijab.
Framing laws to ban only Islamic forms of dress could be considered an attack on the religion. Feeling under attack could cause the Islamic community to close off into itself. They could set up religious schools where their children can dress as they want them to and not mix with children from other faiths. As the case may be in Lagos sate. These effects, as the sociologist may argue could never be good for the integration of society and would further the influence of what is today label as 'extremism.'
Internationally, the perceived attack on Islamic values would inflame wider Muslim opinion, feed conspiracy theories and add to the dangerous feeling that there is a clash of civilisations.
SUICIDE BOMBING? I know this might be your major reason Mr. M. Y. If that been the case, permit me to take you back little into history, do you know that the first recorded suicide bombing came from Christian soldiers during the Crusades to free the Holy City of Jerusalem from the control of Muslim Armies?! Maybe that was the reason in the 19th century France banned the nuns from using their veils. I bet you never know this. And though I wouldn't want to dwell into this, I still want to remind you of the number of non-Muslims caught well planted with bombs, here in Jos and elsewhere. With and without Hijab!
For no reason whatsoever should a practicing Muslim woman be denied her religious rights. So also a Christian Catholic nun who love to define herself wearing the veil. We all know that Hijab, beard, cross, trousers above the ankles are not the problem of our country. Our government know well how to handle the case of Boko Haram but maybe deliberately ignoring it.
It is my duty and your duty to stand still against all injustice done to anyone by anyone. We all are victims of this senseless and unGodly actions either directly or indirectly.
It is my prayer and hope, that this piece hit its target & shall not be misunderstood by any as a tool of provocation. But as a means of clearing misconception(s) among people of different thoughts and opinion, ethnicity and religion. I seek refuge in Allah from the Devil and his evil plot against you & I.
GOD BLESS NIGERIA.
First written on December 14th, 2014.
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