Presidency Denies Banning Hijab

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Friday in Abuja, cleared the air on the purported plan by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to ban the use of hijab. Shehu was apparently throwing more light on the pronouncement of the President during his maiden media chat which took place at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The president’s spokesman described the speculation that the use of hijab has been banned by the Presidency as unfounded. He maintained that President Buhari would continue to respect the rights of the Muslims to protect their modesty and allow religious freedom. Though he admitted that the hijab has been abused by insurgents to effect suicide attacks on innocent people, Shehu noted that President Buhari would not take any decision on the issue without due consultation with all the stakeholders. The presidential media aide added that “Everything will be done to balance national security requirements with the rights and obligations of citizens under their religions as protected by the constitution. “The increasing abuse of the hijab by terrorists to perpetrate criminal mass murder and other atrocities is a reality, and that the government would address the security challenge in consultations with Muslim leaders with a view to finding a workable solution.”