Why I Wore Hijab For My ‘Call To Bar’ _ Penalized Law Graduate Voices Out

A Nigeria Law School Graduate, Amasa Firdaus, who was denied her ‘call to bar’ recently because she put on hijab to the International Conference Centre Abuja, where the event held, has spoken out on why she wore the Muslim female headwear that day. 

Speaking with journalists, Firdaus said she intentionally wore the hijab in a bid to challenge the status quo.

Asked why she did not wait to be called to bar before embarking on the campaign, she said those who have removed their hijabs in the past did nothing to change the situation.

Firdaus also established that there is no law preventing female Muslim lawyers from wearing hijab, adding that the restriction is a mere convention.

“Actually there are no rules preventing us from wearing hijabs. They just call it convention that the British gave to us and we have to stick to it,” she noted.

“I used them. They complained [during] my first [law] dinner. That is how they do on every campus. You don’t wear hijab for dinner but I did. I chose Abuja because I know they were a little lenient.

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

This act of Firdaus’ denial for call to bar has sparked controversies in the social media even the Muslim Students
Society of Nigeria has decided take up the issue.

Amasa Firdaus graduated from the University of Ilorin before going to Law school.