This is a welcome development from the National Youth Service Corps – NYSC as there had been several complaints from female Muslim corps about their continuous harassment over the use of the hijab during the service year.

MPAC, Nigeria warmly welcomes this policy announcement by NYSC and like to reaffirm that the hijab is obligatory for every female Muslim who has reached the age of puberty once she is outside the home. Securing the right of those who make a free choice to obey this Quranic command is, therefore, necessary for those responsible for policy and decisions and should be irrespective of whether some Muslims observe it or not. It is quite important for the rights of female Muslims in hijab to be respected as they are entitled to enjoy the freedom of religious expression guaranteed by the Constitution.

As such we congratulate our female NYSC corps members who endured many years of oppression and those who, together with many Islamic organisations, were in the trenches to secure this right. We call on all Muslim organisations, especially the Muslim Corpers Association of Nigeria, MCAN National to remain vigilant and monitor NYSC/camp officials’ compliance to the new guideline by the NYSC. The best way to defend the right to use the hijab is to use it.

Know your right, and stand by it!

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Reference: “NYSC Approves White, Shoulder-Length Hijab for Corps Members”, Punch News.

MPAC Nigeria Advocacy.
www.mpac-ng.org | Influencing decision making, defending and advocating for Muslim rights