Hijab Campaign: Responsibilities Beyond The Right To Veil

Introduction

Alhmadu lil Laah (All Praise is due to Allah) for the blessing of life and of Islam.

I have observed with pride as a group of Muslims stood up to demand an adherence of constitutional rights we (Ghanaian Muslims) had left fallow for all these years. ‘Sankofa yenkyiri’ to wit; better late than never.

I however have mixed feelings on the singling out ‘hijab’ as the pivot around which the 20^th of February protest in Ghana’s Western Region was held. The Western Region is far Ghana’s most islamically vibrant region in my view.

The hijab issue is important.

But the protest results are exciting as they are frightening. For purposes of this piece I will restrict myself to the case of second cycle institutions under Government subvention.

Refusal of Muslim Adults to Veil: Not. Not. Not

I decided so because I fail to understand why a female doctor can wear her hijab to practice but a Muslim nurse is barred so to do. Annoyingly yet, at the critical stage of surgery, you see the entire team having their heads covered.

That a married Muslim nurse is not allowed to practice her religion in 21^st century Ghana is nothing short of preposterous, nauseating to say the least. Insha Allah a topic for another day.

Touchy Case of SHS Veiling: Call to Tread Cautiously

There are public and private Senior High Schools all over the country. Majority; if not all of them belong to the Government even though they are loosely referred to as ‘mission’ schools; given that they bear the name of one church or the other.

What we have been made to believe over the years is that Government’s extent of involvement is the basis on which Muslim students often gain admission. That is not entirely accurate. If that were the case; these churches would not have in the recent past suggested that the schools be returned to them. (i.e. the missions) A topic for another day insha Allah

The hijab is an important first step and trigger. It can make or break a long walk to assert rights that we have hitherto not exercised. The bigger picture however is recognition of religious freedom.

To me, all of that issuance of political statements came in too quick and to that end, I side with the Christian Council’s position that whiles tolerance was important as a people, there was the need to look into the issue properly.

I choose to call it; streamline the hijab to bring orderliness.

The Communication Ministry issued a statement hours after the protest and I wondered to myself; what was the definition of ‘Hijab’ they were referring to? Could it be the headscarf that covered the hair, ears and neck, the one that has a camel hump, the one that conceals only the hair of the female?

What color was going to be acceptable? Here; consider a school that wears black and white for instance having students streaming in with different colors of veils, with different specs as above listed.

That is a slap in the face of uniformed orderliness especially for a system that hitherto had all students dressed same from head to toe. All I am saying is; someone should have called for a stakeholder meeting to streamline the new air of freedom that was blowing.

Again, let us; as a community know the extent to which we seek to embolden each other in standing up to authority. Calls to flatly resist any orders to unveil at school, could have been better managed.

We already have character perception issues and this ‘stand up and demand your rights’ wasn’t going to help matters immediately or in the future. We may dispute it today but how we handle the results of this hijabi ‘victory’ will affect generations yet unborn.

Would Muslim students get smooth entry into these schools if we come across as ‘abrasive’ (for want of a better word) towards authority? Yes the computer placement but it is people who make these entries, that we cannot dispute.

The hijab right thing on the other hand would be a source of fitna especially because; most of these girls who would never had done rasta and worn weave-ons can now conveniently so do, Monday to Sunday.

Their hairs are covered and its style and makeup, hitherto open for inspection is today concealed thanks to the hijabi rights wave. Then again, there comes the issue of tarbiyya and preaching on how the Muslimah should carry herself about.

Summary

We cannot continue to protest at everything constitutional provision we think is ours as a matter of right. We must adopt a lot of diplomacy going forward on issues relative to asserting our rights. The issue of prayer places Muslims has been a long standing one that needs to be approached tactically.

It would be sad to see that in a sick haste and as we rightfully proclaim "right, right, right," we do not end up neglecting the responsibility that comes with these rights. I also wish to implore especially Muslim youth leaders (here I am referring to Ghana Muslim Students Association (GMSA)) to be measured in the way and manner they engage school authorities.

The rather unstructured leadership front that we have as Muslims coupled with the lack of action by our leaders add on the 'almost' dead 'Islamic Education' turned ;Arabic Education is worsening our woes as an Ummah.

Without doubt, there shall be other rights The Muslim Rights Front, has kick started what could be a long walk to asserting other constitutional rights that we have FAILED to work towards implementing. We seek Allah’s guidance for them and entreat all Muslims to be part of this. May Allah have mercy on us and continually guide us onto the right path. Ameen!

12^th Jumadal Oolaa 1436 = 03 March, 2015

Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban

newcguide@gmail.com/ alfarsenal@yahoo.com