Nigerian law graduate denied call to bar for wearing hijab

Amasa Firdus, a female Nigerian law graduate has been denied her call to the bar after insisting on wearing a hijab during the ceremony.

Amasa Firdaus, who graduated from the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, was denied entry to the hall in the capital, Abuja, where the ceremony took place.

She refused to remove her hijab, insisting instead on wearing the wig on top of her headscarf, local media say.

This was deemed as going against the dress code set by her law school, the university says.

The case has since gone viral on social media and has now attracted significant attention on social media, with Nigerians divided over her decision and that of the authorities of the law school.

While speaking with our correspondence on Saturday, Ms. Amasa said that she remains resolute in her convictions to set a standard for Hijab-wearing Muslims during the ceremony.

“My major concern is the approval of Hijab so that every person coming behind me will be able to use it for the call to bar (ceremony),” she said.

When asked whether she had been aware of the rules and regulations that are against the use of Hijab at the ceremony, she said there was none.

“There is nothing like that (laws preventing the use of Hijab).

“When you ask them too, they tell you it is convention; that that is how it is done and it has to remain like that.”

Ms. Amasa explained that she wanted to change the narrative by giving her Muslim sisters the right to express their constitutional rights as enshrined in the constitution when asked the reason behind her conviction.

“I knew that was what was going to happen,” she said of the consequences of her decision.

She, however, said she remained determined to speak for the recognition of rights of female Muslim law graduates.

She further explained that the Law School is yet to act on the case,  but added that the support from the Muslim community has been impressive.

“My demand is that Hijab should be approved,” she affirmed.

Ms. Amasa’s younger sister, Tawakalitu, also called on Nigerians irrespective of religion to support the cause.

Speaking with our correspondence on Saturday, December 16, Tawakalitu argued that there was nothing illegal about her sister’s demands.

“All we are clamouring for is to allow hijab in the legal profession because it is our right.”

We are yet to get any reactions from the authorities of the Nigerian Law School.

Stay with us as the story develops

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