A Muslim member of assembly of Kisumu post city on the western Kenya coast has criticized the High Court decision to ban Muslims students from donning Islamic headscarf as breaching freedom of worship.
On Friday, High Court judge Harun Makau ruled that Muslim girls at St Paul Kiwanjani Secondary School have no right to wear the veils in school as it is contrary to the school's rules and regulations.
"The constitution is very clear that one has a right not to be forced to do any act that will contravene his / her belief or religion," Farida Salim, nominated Member of County Assembly (MCA) told on Tuesday, 10 March.
“If a court can rule that Muslim girls are barred from putting on Hijab then that court is out of order. We must be tolerant; we do not want this country to be polarized along religious lines.”
Salim was speaking at Kisumu Girls' Secondary School on Saturday during a workshop attended by more than 256 Muslim students from primary and secondary schools.
The MCA said both Christians and Muslims have condemned the ruling.
Acting speaker Gabriel Ochieng said Islam and its beliefs should be upheld.
According to this decision, Muslim students in Isiolo County have lost their bid to wear a hijab in school.
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