A defiant Amasa Firdaus was on Wednesday, October 13, denied the call to the bar for wearing a hijab which was deemed as going against the dress code set by the Nigerian Law School.
The University of Ilorin graduate was refused entry into the hall where the ceremony took place, Director General of the Nigerian Law School, Isa Hayatu Chiroma, told the BBC.
She refused to remove her hijab, insisting on wearing the wig on top of her head scarf.
Ms Firdaus described the actions of the Nigerian Law School as a violation of her right to freedom of religion.
The case sparked mixed reactions on Twitter, pushing hijab to become a trending topic.
She dreamt of becoming a lawyer
She studied law at University of Ilorin and graduated with 2.1
She performed excellently well in Law School
But was denied being call to bar because of #Hijab #EndDiscriminationAgainstHijab
Firdaus deserve to be called to bar pic.twitter.com/r1AzxKNXIl
— Abiola The Patriot (@Busaayo) December 14, 2017
Regarding this hijab issue, I think the lady should have followed the code. Thousands of female muslim lawyers have gone through that same process before her.
Cele people can also ask to go barefoot tomorrow. Give to Caesar what’s Caesar’s!
— Adejuwon Isola-Osobu (@romeabout) December 15, 2017
As much as I hate so many things about the Nigerian Law School and the way they impose that stupid dresscode on aspirants to the bar, I think the girl should have removed the hijab and put it back on after her call. Guess she’s not ready to be a lawyer yet.
— Kosisochukwu (@UncleSuker) December 15, 2017
The Muslims Hijab case is similar to the case of that deeper life female Corper whom was Decamped For Refusing To Wear NYSC Trouser.
People should learn to blend to rules and regulations. Don’t expect a whole law to be changed, because of your faith.
— E-zrael Ani (@EzraelAni) December 15, 2017
DAD: what happened? Why were you not called to bar?
GIRL: I refused to take off my Hijab……
DAD: pic.twitter.com/Lp5yWaX0gD
— Chelsea 🇳🇬 (@oki_peter_) December 15, 2017
LET ME EXPLAIN WHY HIJAB OR ANY OTHER KIND OF SPECIAL DRESSES ARE NOT ALLOWED DURING CALL TO BAR.
It’s simply to show that the LAW or CONSTITUTION is SECULAR. It’s neither Christian nor Muslim and it’s no respecter of religion or anyone.The dress code is not against Muslims
— UnitedAyodejiEmpire (@Deji_Blissfield) December 15, 2017
Even athletes wear hijab now, and these are people who have a reason not to. How does hijab, especially of small size, affect a lawyer’s professional engagements? Why can’t we think beyond sentiments, beyond Britain, beyond colonialism, beyond imperialism, beyond our self-hate? pic.twitter.com/5WtjwI7Ebp
— Gimba Kakanda (@gimbakakanda) December 15, 2017
