Principal of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta International School, FUNIS, Mrs Juba F.O has been dragged before the State Security Services, SSS, for not allowing Muslim students in the school to observe Ramadan fast.
A parent, Abd-Semiu Aderemi approached his lawyer, Agboke Muti to petition SSS for the principal’s refusal to allow his children who are boarders with the school to observe the compulsory Ramadan fast.
According to the petition dated June 17, 2014, addressed to the Ogun State director of SSS, the parent has earlier written the principal prior to the commencement of the fast to make provisions for the Muslim students in their care.
It was reported that the principal in a reply dated June 26 argued copiously to the neutrality of the school on the issue of religion.
The deputy Ameer of Muslim Community of the University, Professor A.A. Agboola was also said to have visited the principal in order to find a lasting solution to the matter but the principal allegedly vowed not to facilitate Ramadan fast for Muslim children in the school.
It was argued that the school, which has been organising Christmas Carol for students every year regardless of their religious affiliation, should not at this time claim religious neutrality.
“We state categorically that FUNIS has always been organising Christian Carol every year and by doing that, nobody has ever spoken of religious neutrality. It is also on record that so many other Christian activities have been organised and nobody has ever mentioned religious neutrality.”
The petition, which was copied to the Minister of Education, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Ogun State Commissioner of Police, amongst others, submitted that the attitude of the principal was a deliberate affront on the Muslim children and their religion, which can orchestrate religious crisis.
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Ramadan: Parent petitions SSS over principal’s stopping of students from fasting
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