Differences over the use of head gears popularly known as hijabs by young girls in Kwara schools Wednesday resulted in violence in the capital, Illorin.
Islamic injunctions favour the use of the hijab by Muslim women and girls in public, but Christians, original owners of the schools taken over by the State, have been resisting attempts to extend such Islamic practices to their schools.
Christians in the Surulere area of Illorin where violence broke out stoutly refused moves by girls from Moslem families to wear hijab to school.
Their refusal to bend to the pressures to allow hijabs worn by Muslim women into school premises led to disturbances on the streets.
Schools which are funded by the Kwara State Government but which were built by churches, were barricaded by persons trying to prevent girls wearing hijabs from entering those compounds.
We have also learnt that a few persons may have been injured in the wake of the crisis which eeupted Wednesday.
Reports say motorists and other road users scampered away in order to avoid the angry mob which took laws into their own hands.
Schools controlled by ECWA, a Christian sect with widespread presence in Northern Nigeria, were however spared during the attacks.
Calm has reportedly returned to the streets of Illorin after the incident, following the intervention of the police.
Across the world, the use of the hijab by young Muslim girls of school age is gradually turning into an issue.
Recall that there were disturbances in France after the authorities there refused to yield the floor to those urging the introduction of hijabs in public schools.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Government has ordered the immediate reopening of schools which were closed, saying it was engaging the parties in conflict in order to maintain the peace.
The Christian Association of Nigeria has however, urged the Federal Government in a related development, to call the Governor of Kwara State to order, accusing him of steering Muslim – Christian confrontation.
