MURIC Hails NYSC, MCAN Over Clarification On Hijab Controversy

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Friday, November 27th, 2015

BALTIMORE, MD (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) hailed the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) and Muslim Corpers Association of Nigeria (MCAN) for clearing the public misconception on the issue surrounding ban by the NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Johnson Olawumi, on the use of Hijab at the scheme’s orientation camp.

The group in a statement issued Friday by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola indicated that contrary to earlier perception, it noted with pleasure the DG’s amenable disposition to the hijab question and his transparently liberal mien to religious issues.

MURIC however reminded the NYSC authorities of the strategic importance of the institution to virtually every Nigerian parents, urging the body to inject doses of dynamism into its public relations so as to plug any lacuna in communication. It added “early reaction to issues of public interest will go a long way in preventing misunderstanding”.

The association recalled MCAN Thursday cleared the air on the raging controversy surrounding the purported ban of the hijab in camps of the NYSC across the country. It confirmed the MCAN in two separate statements issued in Abuja revealed that members of its executive held a meeting with the NYSC DG where the issue was amicably settled

“In the first statement titled ‘Ban of Hijab Within NYSC Scheme: A False News’ MCAN reported that the DG apologized to the female corps members who was harassed by the Benue State camp commandant who has since been banned from the camp. The DG also promised to set up a committee to find a lasting solution to the Hijab affair. The committee, according to the report, will co-opt a member of the MCAN executive.

“In the second statement issued by MCAN titled ‘NYSC DG Discredits The Ban Of Hijab’, the group confirmed that only the long Hijab which reaches the ankles was banned while any hijab which covers the bosom or reaches the knee is permitted”, the statement informed.

MURIC also commended the maturity displayed by MCAN officials on the hijab controversy and charged all Muslim corps members to discharge their duties with patriotic zeal.

It also appealed to the press to avoid sensationalism in their reportage, as well as commended the DG of the NYSC for his liberality and for adopting an open-door policy in his handling of the matter.