The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Lagos State branch, has vehemently opposed Appeal Court’s judgement lifting the ban on hijab in Lagos public schools.
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The Court of Appeal had on Thursday revoked the judgement of Justice Modupe Onyeabor of an Ikeja High Court who on October 17, 2014, dismissed the suit instituted against the Lagos State Government by two 12-year-old girls. The students under the aegis of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, MSSN, Lagos State chapter sued the state for violating their right to religious expression.
Reacting to the Appeal Court’s verdict in a statement its Secretary, Rev. Israel Akinadewo signed, CAN, Lagos chapter, described the decision as a move to Islamize Lagos State.
The statement reads: “Some of these public schools are missionary schools, bearing Christian names, hence any implementation of this judgement is tantamount to islamizing the state of excellence.
“Christian and Muslim leaders are both members of Nigeria InterReligious Council (NIREC) in Lagos, and we have worked perfectly well together. We can only appeal to the State government to take all legal steps immediately, in reversing this judgement, before the Mega City vision for Lagos State is destroyed through religious extremism.
“There should be a standard dress code for all, to be made public for all students who attend public schools in Lagos State. Tax payers monies are used for the establishment and running of these schools, hence religious dress codes should not be allowed under any circumstance. This is even with the fact that religious bodies can establish private schools, and the demands of their religion can then be effectively implemented.”