Muslims Commend Govt Over Hijab Directive

Muslims in the Western Region have commended the Government for the prompt response it accorded their petition after they embarked on a peaceful demonstration.

On Friday, February 20, 2015, the Muslim community in the region embarked on a peaceful walk dubbed, 'March and Rally for Freedom.'

It was held to draw the attention of the nation to the human rights violations the Muslim community was suffering in the hands of some individuals and institutions.

The demonstrators later presented a petition to the president through the regional minister, Paul Evans Aidoo.

Immediately after the peaceful demonstration, the government issued a statement condemning school heads who breached the constitutional freedom of religion.

According to the Muslims, the action by the government indicated its commitment to rule of law and readiness to defend the Constitution.

“The fairness with which the ministry of communication handled the situation underscores the government's commitment to national issues and good leadership style,” they asserted.

They stated, “This will go a long way in promoting the peace and tolerance between the leadership of the country and its citizens across different cultures, political opinions and religious beliefs.”

Addressing a press conference in Takoradi, Haj Saeed Hamid Jallo, executive director of Muslim Rights Front (MRF) in Takoradi, congratulated the leadership of the Regional Police Command on the 'brilliant and professional manner the police conducted themselves.'

He urged the leadership of the Muslim community to remain united and firm on the matter.

He also called on the Imams and scholars to continue reminding the youth of the need to fulfill their religious obligations such as the observance of the hijab and the five daily prayers, since the Constitution of the state endorses the practices.

He reitrerated the fact that every muslim student or worker in Ghana had the right to observe her hijab in school or the workplace without the fear of being harassed or intimidated by authority.

'Every student at all levels of education has the right to resist being compelled to attend church service on Sundays or any other day,' he stressed.

“We believe that as Christians attend their church service, the Muslims can also be made to attend their programme under the guidance of their patron or any recognized Islamic scholar,” Haj Jallo added.

He, however, entreated the Muslim youth to be mindful of the need to remain decorous in the face of any violation and to report appropriately to their local leaders for an amicable solution.

He also praised the Ministry of Health for coming out with a memo cautioning all their agencies to respect the right of their Muslim staff.

'I will take this opportunity to call on the Ministry of Education and other relevant institutions to emulate the example of their counterparts in the health sector,” he urged.

He indicated that the Regional Peace Council had also joined in the fray and appealed to the Muslim citizenry to remain patient and allow the Peace Council go into the matter for amicable resolution.

He thanked the media for the role they played to ensure that the whole world heard about their action last Friday.

From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi