The Hijrah Council of Nigeria (HCN) has commended the Inspector General of Police (IG-P), Usman Alkali Baba, for approving the use of hijab (veil) by willing female officers in the force.
This is contained in a statement issued by Prof. Lanre Badmus-Yusuf, the Amir of the council on Monday in Ilorin.
A copy of the statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said the action was in consonance with the constitutional provision on the right to practice religion by citizens.
The HCN is a non-political and non-cultural Muslim umbrella across the country.
The council appreciated the IG-P because the policy was coming at a time the global community is recognising the use of hijab, especially the forces in the western world.
“The development means the IG-P is living up to the global standard, by gallantly putting Nigeria on the global map of countries that understands and recognises the fundamental human right of Muslim women,” he said.
Badmus-Yusuf therefore appealed to the Muslim women in the force to make the best out of the opportunity by being modest, professional and promoting the interest of the country regardless of the situation that they find themselves in.
He also encouraged them not to shy away, feel intimidated or feel inferior in the utilisation of hijab while in uniform.
The council however implored individuals, groups and religious bodies who are castigating the IG-P for being modest to rethink and down tool their bigotry, adding that the use of hijab by Muslim women is compulsory regardless of their profession.
He described the mode of dressing as promoting the purity of women which its usage has no negative effect on people around them, except mischievous persons. (NAN)
