Hijabis Unsilenced: “Is Not Just A Piece Of Clothing; It Is Our Dignity” 

Imam Dr. Sirajudeen Bakrin said this at yesterday’s Friday Jumu’ah prayer at Fountain University to commemorate the 2025 World Hijab Day.

In his sermon Hijabis Unsilenced, he shed light on the resilience of Muslim women in defending their right to wear the hijab despite societal opposition.

Addressing the congregation, the university imam recounted key moments in Nigeria’s legal and social battles over the hijab. He highlighted the case of two secondary school students in Lagos who were allegedly forced to remove their hijabs and, upon refusal, were physically assaulted. Undeterred, these students, with the backing of organizations such as the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), NASFAT, the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), the Hijab Advocacy Initiative, and Al-Mu’minaat, among others, took legal action against the Lagos State government. Their persistence led to a historic Supreme Court ruling in 2022, affirming their right to wear the hijab in schools.

He also referenced Amasa Firdaus, a law graduate who was denied entry into the Nigerian Law School’s call-to-bar ceremony for wearing her hijab. Her refusal to compromise became a pivotal moment in hijab advocacy. Similarly, Hajia Sherifat Ali-Balogun (Fountain University Bursar) challenged the University of Lagos’ being the first female student to put on a hijab, while Asiyat Abdulkareem took her case to the Lagos High Court, both standing firm in their beliefs.

And he further recognized the efforts of Alhaja Lateefah Okunnu, former Deputy Governor, of Lagos State, who was a vocal advocate for the implementation of hijab rights in Nigeria. Despite these legal victories, the Imam emphasized that Muslim women continue to face discrimination, stigmatization, and societal pressure for choosing to wear the hijab.

Imam Sirajudeen then urged the audience to reflect on the significance of the hijab and why it remains a matter of deep concern for Muslims. “The hijab is not just a piece of clothing; it is our dignity, our shield, and a garment of honour,” he stated. He explained that the hijab is a command from Allah, meant to protect women from unwarranted attention, preserve their modesty, and serve as a symbol of submission to divine will.

The Imam outlined the essential characteristics of a proper hijab, emphasizing that it must cover the entire body, leaving only the face and hands visible, should be loose-fitting and not form-hugging, be opaque and non-transparent, must avoid drawing unnecessary attention, be free of fragrance or perfume, and should represent piety beyond just appearance.

Concluding his sermon, Imam Sirajudeen declared that the hijab is far more than a fashion statement or societal trend; it is an identity deeply rooted in faith. 

“Hijab is not silent; it speaks of strength, purity, and unwavering belief. For every Muslim woman, it is more than what she wears; it is who she is,” he affirmed.