Any Attempt To Ban The Veil Will Be Resisted By Muslims, FOMWAN Warns

The Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) has cautioned against the call for the ban of hijab in Nigeria, especially in the northern part of the country.

There have been calls in some quarters for a ban on veils due to the use of veiled women as suicide bombers by Islamist militant group Boko Haram.

However, in a statement by the National President of the association, Hajia Amina B. Omoti, the association reiterated that the banning of the use of hijab is not the solution to the insecurity in the region.

According to the association, it has been established that the insurgents used several other antics such as military uniforms, animals and all sorts of items as décoy to beat security operatives in their nefarious activities.

Instead of a ban on veils, FOMWAN called on the government “to remain focused in its fight to end the insurgency and not be distracted by those calling for the ban on the use of hijab. It is diversionary and any attempt to implement it will be resisted by all well meaning Muslims in the country.”

The association appealed to the Muslim Ummah to remain calm and law abiding, said Muslims across the country should resist attempts to be provoked and continue to pray for the present administration to succeed and for an enduring peace in Nigeria.

“The attention of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) has been drawn to the ongoing debate and unsolicited advice to government in different print and electronic media on the need to ban the use of Hijab.

“FOMWAN as a Muslim Women organization is concerned at the unfortunate use of young and innocent girls wearing Hijab to create havoc in the North Eastern part of Nigeria; this is sad and worrisome,” a statement by the association read in part.