By Collins Yakubu-Hammer
The Peace (As-Salaam) Magazine has called on Muslim women across the country to continue to wear Hijab as it does not reduce them to any form of stereotype.
The Director of the Magazine, Dr Mumin Alao, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the ‘1st Peace Magazine Honour Roll Ceremony on Tuesday in Abuja.
Alao said the essence of the ceremony was to celebrate intelligent brains under the veils.
“The significance of this events is to recognise excellence among Muslim women. For a long time, we know there was issues concerning the wearing of Hijab, discouraging them from wearing it.
“But in the last few years, there were a lot of education and mobilisation, that, at the end, the court decided that wearing Hijab is a right.
“Thus, the Peace Magazine is happy and has put it behind. Now what is next is to encourage Muslim women to wear it in the work place, whether public or private space; police stations, hospitals, etc,” he said.
Alao said in other to encourage women to wear the Hijab, the magazine decided to organise the event to recognise and encourage those who were already wearing it.
“And, we are also demonstrating that wearing the Hajiab does not stop them from reaching to the top of their career.
“We have so many women here that have reached to the top of their career wearing the Hijab,” the director said.
He further explained that about 20 female graduates with first class degree from different institutions in the country were brought to the event to be honoured.
Alao added that primary and secondary school girls were also invited to come and witness the celebration, adding that it would also encourage them to wear the Hijab.
Earlier, the Chief Host of the event, Malam Murtala Aliyu said the Magazine is 22 years old.
He said,: “The innovation to honour young Muslim girls who have done well in their academics is a noble venture.
“I pray that this step we have taken will take us thousands of mile.”
Similarly, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Yusuf Ali, represented by AbdulRasheed Usman from Ghalib Chambers assured Muslim women that no matter their challenges, there were professional muslim women that would attend to them.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event also featured Quranic recitation, investitures, and awards to various personalities that attended the ceremony. (NAN)