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Failure to prosecute abusers of hijab rights increase molestation, says lawyer

By Shakirah Adunola
18 February 2022   |   4:05 am
A lawyer and TV presenter Nymat Akashat-Zibiri, has condemned the incessant harassment of Muslim girls and women who adorn hijab in public places and academic institutions.

A lawyer and TV presenter Nymat Akashat-Zibiri, has condemned the incessant harassment of Muslim girls and women who adorn hijab in public places and academic institutions.

The presenter said it’s high time perpetrators of assault on Muslim women wearing hijab were brought to book, saying making them face the full wrath of the law will serve as deterrent to others.

Akashat-Zibiri said this while speaking on “The way to end the incessant molestations and denials of Muslim women’s right to use hijab in government-owned schools.”

She said, “It is sad that most perpetrators of abuse against the hijab are not brought to book, especially in schools and government institutions. I don’t know why the government would guarantee rights and protect the abusers of those entitled to those rights. I think it is a lack of security on the part of the government to speak with one side of their mouth and fail to protect those they say they are protecting.

“I hope the advocacy continues and we get the desired result whereby rights to wear hijab are guaranteed and enforced.

“Enforcement is very important because I believe that with continuous enforcement and making example of others, we would get the desired results and people would learn to respect others.”

Speaking further, she said, “Look at the country today, a lot of rights are being abused. Government does not obey the rule of law and court orders, but we will continue to do things peacefully and in the right order. We hope the time will come when the government will eventually enforce the law on the abusers of this right.”

Akashat-Zibiri, who emerged among the 30 Nigerian Muslim Women of Substance in the February 2022 edition of Muslim News tabloid, called on hijab advocates and the guardians of hijab victims to be civil and approach the court, stressing that the move will ensure the right to wear the hijab is continuously guaranteed.

According to her, “People should not resort to any other means to enforce the judgements that are already available at our disposal. I don’t believe in any other means than the court. I also wish the law enforcement agencies enforce the law on the offenders, regardless of who’s in power. Sadly, we’ve been under a government with a Muslim in power for eight years, we are not getting anywhere with the enforcement of the rights.

“I’m hoping that the continuous enforcement of the law against the abusers of hijab will yield the result of total acceptance and equal rights for everyone.

“The way forward is continuous advocacy and enlightenment. World Hijab Day is one of such opportunities through which we show other people, who have never worn the hijab the beauty of it, with the safety, calmness and tranquility Muslim women enjoy. So, continuous advocacy and enlightenment is a sure way forward,” she noted.

She admitted that being a hijabite in Nigeria is something very tough, stressing that you are constantly reminded that you have to be unique among others.

“It’s sad to note that you have constitutional provisions protecting your right as a hijab-wearing woman, yet you still can’t enjoy such right. I hope that in future, Muslim women are able to wear their hijab and thrive easily among their peers. We are getting there as we have a lot of success stories. I’m hoping we get to a point where everyone with hijab is respected and the rights guaranteed in the constitution are enforced for each hijabite,”she added.

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