Vanguard News
Kwara Hijab Controversy: Christian leaders abort school resumption
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By Demola Akinyemi – Ilorin
Contrary to the directive and expectations of Kwara state government, that the ten affected schools be reopened, violence marred the exercise as the Christians and Muslims in one of the affected schools engaged themselves in a war of words and eventually threw stones at each other over the resumption of students.
Vanguard reliably gathered that despite series of interface by the state government with the Christian leaders, which include the offer by the government that the schools would be returned to them, the Christian leaders were adamant and resolute on their demands.
By Hammed Shittu
Violence Wednesday marred the reopening of 10 schools, originally owned by Christian Missions, shut by the Kwara state government over the use of Hijab as Christians and Muslims in Ilorin engaged themselves.
The government of Addulrahman AbdulRazaq had ordered the reopening of the affected schools on Wednesday to enable the students prepare for the upcoming external examinations, without resolving the Hijab issue.
There are fears that if the unfolding development is not urgently and carefully handled it could snowball into religious violence in a state known for peace and religious harmony.
At the Baptist Secondary School, Surulere, the situation was serious as security operatives had to disperse the Muslim and Christian leaders who threw stones at each other over the development.