The dress code for some female Muslim students is currently causing controversy at Adamawa State College of Nursing and Midwifery in Yola.
Idris Hamza, a parent representative for Muslim students at the college, had sparked the controversy by sending a letter to Muslim organizations warning them of “sanctions against the use of khimar by Muslim female students.”
Muslim women typically wear a full head covering called a khimar or himar.
Ahmed Idris wrote to the MSSN, IMAN, JIBWIS, Muslim Council, MURIC, and other organizations to inform them that the college’s administration had security guards stationed at the gate to block Muslim students wearing khimar.
“It is getting too much and we as parents and Muslim faithful are pushed too hard to the wall,” he stated.
He added that the students were being treated with disdain, and that the “anti-Islamic regime in the college” was making things undesirable.
He claimed that rather than pursuing distinction, the college Provost is waging a war against Muslim students and Islam.
Idris Hamza’s allegation was also projected mainly on social media, causing religious tension within and outside the college located in Yola Town, Yola South Local Government Area.
However, reacting, the Provost of the College, Lami Aminu said the controversy was all about colour and not khimar itself.
She stressed that only students wearing unapproved black khimar could have problems with the management.
She explained that the management deliberated on the use of black khimar by some students other than the white approved by the college for Muslim students.
“There is always a dress code for our students. We sat at the management meeting and agreed for the use of white khimar to match the top white general uniform.
“We did that meeting with many of the officials of all the Muslims students’ unions. We are not here to disdain any religion. The school is not for any religion. It is for academic excellence.”