Constitution review: Sultan advocates unrestricted use of hijab in schools

Sa’ad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto, has asked that female Muslims all over the country be allowed to wear hijab without restrictions.

Abubakar stated this at the north-west zonal public hearing on the constitution review, organised by the house of representatives for stakeholders from Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara.

The hearing held on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi capital.

The sultan, who said wearing hijabs without restriction is in total compliance with the freedom of religion in the country, added that other religious affiliations could adopt what their faith prescribes.

“The most important issue is the issue of religion. Almighty God created us to worship Him and you must protect my rights as a Muslim, in whatever documents you are going to bring and there are no two ways about it,” he said.

“I must have the freedom to worship Allah the way Almighty says I should worship Him. So, why do people make too much noise about Sharia and its implementation?

“It is all about our lives as Muslims from the day of our birth till we die. So, look at the way to protect the interests of Muslims that constitute over 50 percent of this nation’s population — whether in the north, east, south, or west.

“I believe nobody should stop me from practising my religion and I must practise it to the best of my ability, without tampering with other religions or their freedom. You can pick a stone and keep it in your home; that is the problem between you and your God, not me.

“There are so many cases where young girls were denied the right to use their hijabs in schools. Why is it that the use of the hijab becomes a problem to those people who are not using the hijab?

“On the other hand, we should even encourage persons of other faiths to do what their religion ordered them to do. And that is how we will live in peace.”

According to NAN, the sultan also said the military shouldn’t be blamed for the perceived lapses in the current constitution, adding that Nigerians should focus their attention on whether to amend or have a new constitution before the 2023 general election.

“Stop flogging the military. Look at the constitution, if it is good for us or not; that is all. If you think we need to change the constitution, this is the time. If you think we need to just amend it, this is the time; but it is just two years to 2023 elections,” he said.

“Can we afford a new constitution or should we make just some amendments so that when the new governments come in, they can bring fresh faces, minds to fashion our new constitution? Those are the questions I want you to think about here.”