Amasa Firdaus: says insistence on use of hijab was to challenge the status quo

Amasa Firdaus, the Nigerian Law School graduate has explained why she refused to remove her hijab, an issue which earned her refusal to be called to the bar last Friday and has become object of debate on the social media.

Speaking over the incident which took place at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, on Friday to The Cable newspaper,  Firdaus said she wore the hijab to challenge the status quo.

She also said others who have given in to the order to remove their hijabs in the past did nothing to change the situation.

She added, “They just call it convention that the British gave to us and we have to stick to it. I used them. They complained (during) my first (law) dinner. That is how they do on the campus. You don’t wear hijab for dinner, but I did. I chose Abuja because I knew they were a little lenient.

“People have been removing their hijab over the years. What have those people who have removed it done?”

Amasa who was  refused entry into the hall for insisting on wear the wig on top of her hijab also told  PREMIUM TIMES her action was aimed at getting approval of Hijab so that every person coming behind her will be able to use it for the call to bar ceremony.

She insisted that there was no law barring graduates from wearing hijab over their wigs.

“There is nothing like that (laws preventing the use of Hijab),” she told PREMIUM TIMES. “When you ask them too, they tell you it is convention; that that is how it is done and it has to remain like that.”

She also said she was aware of the likely consequences of her decision: “I knew that was what was going to happen,”

“My demand is that Hijab should be approved,” she affirmed.