A section of Muslim leaders in Uasin Gishu county has expressed dissatisfaction with the Supreme Court ruling that overturned a decision by the Court of Appeal requiring schools to allow Muslim students to wear hijabs.
Led by Uasin Gishu Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya chairman Sheikh Abubakar Bini and secretary Atiq Mohamed, the leaders said the ruling giving powers to every school to have the right to determine its own rules over uniforms will disadvantage many students from other religions.
“Hijab is part of the Muslim religion and students should not be discriminated for wearing it to cover their hair and neck,” said Bini in Eldoret town, Thursday.
“We urge the Ministry of Education to consider formulating and putting into place proper regulations for the better protection of the fundamental right to freedom of religion and belief as well as equality for all pupils and students in Kenya’s education system,” added Atiq Mohamed.
The Court of Appeal comprising of the then appellate Judges Phillip Waki, Roselyne Nambuye and Patrick Kiage had in September 2016 allowed Muslims to wear hijabs as part of the school uniform.
The Judges also directed the Education CS to ensure that rules on school uniform do not discriminate students based on their religion.
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