STUDENTS SHOULD SHUN VIOLENCE IN SEEKING REDRESS ON THE BAN OF VEIL IN THE SCHOOL
All praise is to Allah, The Lord of the World, May His peace and benediction be upon noble Prophet Muhammad and the generality of us till the Last Day.
It is only one devoid of loyalty and sense of humor about the growth of our prestigious institution, FUNAAB, and who does not seek to contribute his best to its growth and social coexistence, which invariably strengthens the immediate environment, the state, and country at large, that wouldn’t be concerned about the recent happenings in the school, especially since the past semester.
And newly, our attention was drawn, by our stakes as executives of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria who stand for students’ rights and justice at all cost by championing the cause of the oppressed in any society, and by our natural concerns as Muslims who duly represent the religion of Islam in its entirety and through many reactions that we have seen firsthand among the general students, to the billboard placed earlier on Monday 16th October, 2017, by the University Management of our prestigious institution, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.
The billboard in its descriptions condemned all forms of societal indecencies and immoralities and put the picture of the typical Islamic dress codes of a veiled Muslim female as among them. It carried a ‘banned’ tag and also states clearly, beneath, that FUNAAB detests LOUSY/IMMORAL dressing‘. A lot of us have translated and have begun spreading to the effect that the University meant that their abrasive description is what a Muslim lady represents, and, since this is what the religion of Islam has legislated, that, even, the school means Islam is lousy and immoral. It is that the dressing of Muslim ladies, which is a high level display of morality and submissiveness to their Creator, is regarded as an act of debauchery by the institution.
Even at the slightest, it cannot be posited that this is not what the management implies, it is also stressful to imagine otherwise, however, we, the MSSN FUNAAB, choose, like always, to follow what the religion preaches which is to give excuses to entities and not be quick to display opprobrium. This is what we have always been known for and that is why official steps are being taken to seek justice to this matter. Though, several letters have been written aforetime to the Office of the Vice Chancellor as regards the ‘Circular to all Students on Dress Code’ which was released on 25th July, 2017.
It is to no wonder that as regards the ‘Circular to all Students on Dress Code’ which was released on 25th July, 2017, we have not for once received confirmation that the VC got or is to listen to our appeal to the Senate to revisit the issue and grant the Muslims their right to freely practice their religion.
This release does not necessarily address the processes sought after with the management on this issue. It is for the Muslim students. It is to tell everyone that calm must be maintained. It is to tell us that while we were at the school gate in the evening to examine the abuse of the billboard on our religion and as students and register our extreme grievances , we got the attention of the Chief Security Officer of the School who immediately condemned the billboard. The ever-attentive VC also came this time to register his concern. The board was immediately torn down. The VC spoke in many discernible idioms but affirmed that our agitations are to be heard.
It is important to state that we know that this country has represented cajoles and lies from our leaders better than it has the truth. We know that it is a theory for the leaders that followers are shepherds.
But the Vice Chancellor, who also doubles as the Chairman of Senate, is a man of high integrity and love for peace. He respects the dictates of this religion. He knows that right to freedom of religion needs no quoting; that it is an intrinsic part of our existence as citizens of this country.
Among many scriptural verses in our hearts, the words of Pope Paul VI has worked for global goals, “if you want peace, give justice.”
It is on this note that we want to tell all Muslim Students of FUNAAB to remain completely law-abiding on this issue. If you must express your rights to opinions, do so lovingly with advices to the management, for, truly, isn’t our young talks, young minds, opinions and relations, and the perspectives of their wise old, what bring about this community?
Jazaakum Allah Khayran.
*AbdulAzeez Olawale Shobajo*
Amir, MSSN FUNAAB.
*Lukman Obidele*
Secretary, MSSN FUNAAB.
*Ibrahim Oke*
Dir. Public Rel., MSSN FUNAAB.
🇳🇬MSSN… The hope of the Ummah.🇳🇬💯
