Islamic organisations criticise Covenant University over alleged hijab policy

Islamic organisations have condemned the management of Covenant University for allegedly preventing four girls in hijabs from sitting JAMB mock.

The management of Covenant University, which is owned by Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide,  was criticised for the decision.

According to a report, the candidates wearing hijabs were prevented from taking the mock JAMB exams at its campus in Otta, Ogun State.

A parent,  Olayode Akeem, who brought his child to the center, claimed that the security personnel prevented candidates wearing hijabs from entering Canaanland because they were following orders from top officials of the University. 

It took the intervention of JAMB officials before the candidates were allowed in after the initial decision to stop them from gaining access into the institution, the report said.

The Hijab Rights Advocacy Initiative (HRAI) and the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), in separate statements, said some candidates had to remove their Hijab before they were let in. 

In his part, MURIC Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, urged the JAMB to sanction both universities for disallowing hijab-clad girls from entering their premises for Thursday’s mock examination.

“The number of Muslim girls who wore hijab was actually more than that but about five or six had surrendered by removing their hijab after begging for more than one hour. Those who removed their hijab were allowed to go inside.

“Those who cannot tolerate Muslim girls in hijab should not apply to host public examinations. Canaanland and Covenant have subjected Muslim girls to embarrassment, stigmatization and persecution,” Akintola said.