KWARA: We’re against use of hijab in mission schools – Catholic church

THE Catholic Bishop of Ilorin Diocese, Most Rev. Paul Olawoore, has condemned the Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq administration’s handling of the hijab crisis in the state.

Olawoore, who condemned the use of force to take control of mission’s school in the state, said that the Catholic church is not in agreement with the government over the use of hijab in mission schools.

The cleric said, “I don’t want any confrontation that will inflict pain or any kind of injury on anybody. Neither do I wish that anyone should lose his or her life on this issue.”

The prelate who is also Chairman of the Kwara State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, said tolerance is needed in the state for peaceful coexistence, urging faithful of both Islamic and Christianity religions to work together to achieve it.

Rev. Fr. Ralph Ajewole, CAN’s Director of Ecumenism and Interfaith Dialogue, refuted reports that Christians in the state had agreed to the use of hijab in government mission schools.

Describing such reports as lies, he said, “We insist that the Catholic Church rejects and condemns the use of hijab in our mission schools.”

The cleric added, “No matter how hard anyone tries to change the narrative, we stand with CAN that the use of hijab is totally rejected in schools built and owned by Christians.”