Thousands of Nigerian Muslim women turn out for World Hijab Day 2020 in Lagos

By Yusuf Akinlotan, Lagos.

Thousands of Nigerian Muslim women on Saturday February 1, 2020 teamed up to join the rest of their counterparts across the globe to commemorate the World Hijab day 2020 in Lagos.

Every February 1 of the year is internationally recognized for the commemoration of Hijab wearing day for the Muslim women across the world .

In line with this, Muslim woman in Nigeria under the aegis of The Coalition of Muslim Organisations in Nigeria gathered in thousands to mark the day with various activities in Lagos.

The women group drawn from Islamic organizations like Hijab Rights Advocacy Intitiative,(HRAI), the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria,(MSSNLagos) Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria,( FOMWAN) Al- Muminat( the believing women) , NASFAT, MPAC, MURIC, CRITERION and others walked in solidarity, enlightening people about the essence of hijab, from Maryland to Ojota area of the state.

Addressing the media on the significance of the event with the theme : “Unity in Diversity” the Executive Director, Hijab Right Advocacy of Nigeria, Barrister Mutiat Orolu said hijab wearing is religion’s right which is established in more that 140 countries across the world without fear of discrimination.

“We want people to understand that hijab is not for fashion, but religion right and religion right is Human right” she said.

Regarding the theme, Unity in diversity, Barrister pointed that it is a gobal discourse, because regardless of race, tribe or colour, Hijab binds Muslims just as Nigeria binds various ethnic groups as one in the country.

“I can bet you if you go to 140 other countries in the world, you will find women dress like me even though we might not speak the same language with different cultures but Hijab binds us.”

She added that ” Unity in diversity speaks to the Universality of Islam and also Nigeria where various ethnic groups are binded by same country Nigeria.

In her message to the government, Barrister Orolu urged Nigeria government to implement the laws in place and promulgate more laws that protect the religious right of citizens of Nigeria in order for every Nigerian to contribute positively to the society.

On the significance of the day, the National women leader of Nasru-lahi-Fathi Society (NASFAT), Alhaja Suwaybat Popolati, hinted that hijab wearing by Muslim women is ordained by Allah in the Quran and it is the reasons they should be permitted to wear it in the social gatherings, different organizations and as well as in the private sectors of the Nigeria society.

Others Islamic organizations that made the even, which lasted for 5 hours a successful outing included, Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN); Ansar-Ud-Deen Youth of Nigeria (ADYAN); Guild of Muslim Professionals (GMP); Lagos Secretariat Community Central Mosque, Alausa (LSCCM); Pristine Cactus Foundation; The Criterion and International Muslim Women Union (IMWU).