As the Federal Government reforms the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) and designs a new uniform for the service, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has reminded the authorities of the need for decency and inclusiveness in the concept of the new uniform.
The Executive Director of the human rights organisation, Professor Ishaq Akintola, made the demand in a statement on Friday.
Akintola called for special uniform designs for female Muslim corpers.
According to him, the new NYSC uniform must not only accommodate the hijab, it must also project decency and protect the integrity of Muslim women.
He said: “The Federal Government has announced its intention to reform the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC). The reform will also necessitate designing a new uniform while the role of the military in the service will be drastically reduced (https://punchng.com/fg-reforms-nysc
-replaces-military-leadership-redesigns-uniform/?amp).
“Although we welcome some aspects of the proposed reform, we call for caution on the issue of redesigning the NYSC uniform. In particular, we demand the involvement of at least one notable female Islamic society in the country (e.g. FOMWAN: Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Nigeria) in the design in order to cater for the interest of Muslims in the new uniform.
“Such engagement will save the reformed scheme from unnecessary controversy and undue ethical bottlenecks. We consider our intervention germane and timely since the final design has not been made public.
“It is necessary to give background information for a good understanding of our position. It is an open secret that the Christian colonial masters were the ones who designed the school uniforms which are still in use today. But they only ensured that it was suitable for Christians. No thought was given to the need to conceptualize a uniform that would be suitable for Muslims. It was exclusive.
“Unfortunately, successive Nigerian administrations in post-independence Nigeria paid no attention to the need to engage the Muslims and integrate them in the designs.
“Naturally, this cultural lopsidedness resulted in a clash of cultures with Muslims demanding adjustments in the design of school uniforms, particularly for the Muslim female species (https://dailytrust.com/muric-tackles-lagos-govt-over-hijab-ban/).
“The hijab question has been fought and won to a large extent but it spilled over to the NYSC uniform which Muslims also considered too westernised (https://guardian.ng/features/ban-on-hijab-muric-faults-dg-of-nysc/).
“A gale of agitations ensued and NYSC authorities eventually succumbed by proposing a moderate hijab design for Muslim corpers (https://punchng.com/nysc-approves-white-shoulder-length-hijab-for-corps-members/?amp).*
“But feelers from the new NYSC uniform design which is being expected to accompany the proposed reforms in NYSC seem to suggest that the concept of the new uniform has reversed the gains of marginalised Muslims as there is no sign of an hijab design for the new uniform.
“MURIC therefore advises stakeholders to carry the Muslims along because only this will be a true reflection of the diverse cultures that make up the country. Nigerian Muslims will reject the imposition of any Christian-oriented uniform for the new reformed NYSC. Neither shall we allow our daughters to be indecently exposed in the name of a new NYSC uniform.
“We remind the authorities of the need for inclusiveness in the concept of the new uniform. We advocate for adequate consultation before the final decision is made on the new NYSC uniform. The practice of shaving the heads of muslims in their absence has become anachronistic. We must have a place at the table. A stitch in time saves nine.”
