The Kwara Baptist Conference has advised the Kwara State government led by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to respect the rule of law concerning the hijab crisis in the state.

Recall that the state had shut down 10 schools over their refusal to allow Muslim female students to wear hijab.

The Kwara Baptist Conference, in a statement issued the President, Rev’d. Dr. V.S.A Dada, described the action by the state government as “committing contempt of court.”

The Conference said the issue of hijab is before the Supreme Court and that a High Court had ordered that the status quo which existed before the issue should be maintained.

The statement said, “We, Baptist in Kwara State wish to advise the Kwara State government to respect the rule of law concerning religious bodies schools in Kwara State.

“It is on record that this issue is before the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Therefore, the pronouncement of the state government closing religious bodies schools (is) sub-judice and as a result committing contempt of court.

“Equally, the state High Court has issued an order that “status-quo-ante” be maintained. That is to say that both parties should return to what was obtainable before the present crisis.

“Consequent upon the foregoing, we request the following from the State Government:

“Immediate reopening of our schools forthwith.

“For emphasis sake, we want to reiterate that under no circumstances will we allow the wearing of Hijab in our schools. The schools are our heritage and legacy bequeath into us by our forefathers.

“What we are saying is “give us back our schools”. But if the state government is bent on running the schools, we want to say we will henceforth not allow Hijab nor Mallims in our schools.

“If peradventure, the government posture did not allow our children to do their WAEC this year, posterity will judge those who are at the Halon of affairs accordingly.

“The adage “Government of the people, by the people for the people” is no longer so in Kwara State. It is, “Government of the people, run by Muslims, for Muslims”.

“However, the governor should remember that not only Muslims voted for him.

“Stop peddling unfounded rumour. Nobody, I repeat, nobody has received not will receive any gratification from Government officials, no amount of intimidation, falsehood or provocation will deter us from achieving our aim/goals. No retreat, no surrender.”

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