THE Presidency has denied insinuations and rumours that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration was considering a ban on Hijab, the Muslim women’s dressing symbol of modesty.

Giving a clarification on Buhari’s pronouncement during the Presidential Media Chat on Wednesday, his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the speculations were unfounded. He addded that the administration would always respect the rights of Muslims to protect their modesty and allow religious freedom.

Shehu, while admitting that the Hijab was being abused by terrorists to carry out suicide attacks on innocent people, which violates the teachings of Islam, however said the President would not take any decision on the issue without due consultation with all the stakeholders.

“Everything will be done to balance national security requirements with the rights and obligations of citizens under their religions as protected by the constitution,” Shehu said.

He added that the increasing abuse of the Hijab by terrorists to perpetrate criminal activities and other atrocities is a reality, but that government would address the security challenge in consultations with Muslim leaders with a view to finding a workable solution.