The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) Nigeria has voiced strong opposition against an incident where a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Local Inspector allegedly denied clearance to a female Muslim corps member in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for wearing a knee-length hijab.
In a statement released on Thursday, MPAC described the action as "unlawful and unacceptable," emphasizing that it directly contravenes Nigeria's constitutional provisions guaranteeing religious freedom and expression.
According to the organization, the situation was promptly resolved following intervention by the Muslim Corpers' Association of Nigeria (MCAN), which engaged with relevant NYSC authorities to address the issue.
MPAC Executive Chairman, Disu Kamor, commended MCAN's timely response, stating: "We commend the responsible and timely action of MCAN in restoring the rights of the affected corps member. Their proactive steps underscore the importance of institutional vigilance in defending the religious liberties of Muslim citizens."
While acknowledging that this particular case has been resolved, Kamor emphasized that such incidents are not isolated. He noted that Muslim female corps members across Nigeria continue to face "subtle and overt discrimination" for choosing to wear the hijab, which he described as "an essential and non-negotiable aspect of their religious identity."
The MPAC chairman called on the NYSC Director-General to issue clear directives to all state coordinators, local government inspectors, and zonal officers, reminding them of corps members' constitutional rights, particularly regarding religious attire such as the hijab.
"The NYSC, as a federal agency, must model religious tolerance and uphold constitutional provisions," Kamor stated. "No official has the authority to impose unofficial dress codes or act on personal bias."
He further emphasized that the hijab should not be misconstrued as a symbol of rebellion but rather as a legitimate expression of faith. "Denying Muslim females their right to wear it is an affront to Nigeria's democracy and the founding values of the NYSC—unity in diversity, service with dignity, and respect for all," he added.
MPAC has pledged to continue monitoring such incidents and indicated it would not hesitate to seek legal or institutional redress where the rights of Muslim citizens are violated.
This incident highlights ongoing tensions regarding religious expression in public institutions and underscores the need for clearer guidelines to protect constitutional freedoms within government agencies.
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