Media Release: Hijab Ban in Hindu School

Media Release:

Re: Hijab Ban in Hindu School

Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front) is strongly condemning the actions taken by the relevant persons attached to the Lakshmi Girls Hindu college in St Augustine who refused to allow Muslim OJT teacher Nafesa Nakhid on the compound of the school to perform her duties as she was assigned.

Ms. Nakhid was assigned to teach Mechanical Engineering and upon her arrival at the compound was told not to enter unless she removed her hijab. Subsequently to this, she left the schools compound and reported her ill treatment to the department which assigned her to teach at that particular school.

In essence the Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front) condemns the Islamophobic actions on behalf of Lakshmi Girls Hindu college and believes it was a deliberate act which was done out of remorse towards Islam and by extension Muslims. Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front) is further shocked that in today’s society such archaic thinking and disrespect of a person’s religious rights will be infringed upon.

Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front) believes that justice would be brought to the teacher through the court of law as evident in the past in a similar situation which occurred some years ago.

General Secretary of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha Sat Maharaj said Lakshmi Girls College was not a training ground for teachers and those trainees who came must accept the school's dress code. What exactly is the dress code? This young woman was dressed modestly. Wasn’t it Sat Maharaj in November of 2011 who in listing his grievances against the principal; Gajadharsingh-Nanga accused her of not conforming to the school’s dress codes, saying to the press that he had “seen the panty lines of her female assistant? If a Hindu OJT teacher where to have reported to work in her traditional Saree - head covered - would she have been allowed to continue?

In conclusion, Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front) intends to pursue this matter and ensure such disrespect and disregard for Muslims religious rights will no longer be infringed upon in this country. No Institution in this country Public or otherwise should have policies and rules contrary to the constitution and laws of Trinidad and Tobago. Every creed and race must be given an equal place.

For Immediate Release:

Date: May 22, 2018

Umar Abdullah

Head of Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front)

Tel: +18683656253 or +18687870765