Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar, said yesterday, that the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which granted freedom to female Muslims in some primary and secondary schools to wear the hijab, was no ‘favour’ to faithful of the religion.

The traditional ruler, who spoke in Ilorin, Kwara State, while opening a national conference of Islamic preachers, under the aegis of Da’wah Co-ordination Council of Nigeria (DCCN), said the judgment only affirmed what is in the Constitution, as he tasked Muslims across the country to remain steadfast concerning forthcoming legal issues on the same matter.

The Sultan said Muslims are not forcing any one to use the hijab, adding that the only condition that would make him advocate action by Muslims against anyone or nation is if such individual or nation attempts to stop faithful from practising their faith.

His words: “We are not forcing anybody to use hijab, but whoever wants to use it should be allowed. I think it is important to commend the tenacity and process of the MSS, as it shows that Muslims are very patient and law abiding. We await outcomes of cases in court and whatever.

“We must never take laws into our hand. We must be law officers. We do not do that in Islam. It is a very big lesson to all of us. When we waited, Almighty Allah came to our rescue and He gave us the success we have been praying for. Let us keep on praying to Almighty Allah on issues affecting us in this country.