The National Council of Zongo Chiefs, under the leadership of Chief Alhaji Abdul Kadir Tahir, has declared its support for the ‘hijabismyidentity’ peaceful walk slated for Saturday, October 12.
The Council said it viewed with very serious concern the recent happenings on the alleged harassment of Muslim women wearing Hijab (scarf) at their workplaces by their superiors and some female students at some first and second cycle schools.
In a release signed by Chief Is–Hak Sulleman Naaba Sigirie (I), General Secretary, and issued to the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday in Accra, said it was not too happy with the position taken by some superiors in high authority to even go to the extent of trying to expel their women and children if they refused and continued to wear the hijab to work.
“We strongly support and call on all Chiefs to join in the peaceful demonstration being organized to send across our major concern and to echo the need for all to respect the part of the 1992 constitution, Article 16(1) which states clearly that “no person shall be held in slavery or servitude”.
It said Article 17(2) also states that “a person shall not be discriminated against on grounds of gender, race, colour, ethnic group, religion or social or economic status”, while Article 26(1) states that “every person is entitled to enjoy, practice, profess, maintain and promote any culture, language, tradition or religion subject to the provisions of this constitution” and lastly article 21(1c) talks about “freedom to practice any religion and to manifest such practice”.
It called on all to desist from taking entrenched positions that could be most harmful and undermine the unity and peaceful co-existence in our peaceful country.
The release urged those joining the movement for the peaceful demonstration, to be law-abiding and follow the route agreed with the security agency. “There will be infiltrators among us, but we should be very vigilant and not to lose our purpose of our demonstration. We should stay focus”.
It also called on institutions, agencies and organisations to abide by the 1992 Constitution and allow Muslim women and children practice and to manifest the religion of their choice since wearing the hijab or scarf would not hinder or interfere with their work.
“We say this must stop with immediate effect,” the release stated.
