An Islamic cleric and the Wakeelul Muslimeen of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta, Sheikh Iskeel Awwal popularly called Sugar, has said the Niqob (veil) which has become a major controversy at the Federal University of Agriculture, FUNAAB, Abeokuta, is an Islamic dress and not an indecent dress as categorised by the Institution.

Sheikh Sugar, who is also the consultant to the Ogun State Government on Islamic affairs, said this in a statement issued recently in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on the controversy.

According to the cleric, Niqob is prescribed for female Muslims by the Qur’an for anyone who chooses to dress in the same manner, adding that the usage of Niqob is regularly seen in public institutions across the country and not peculiar to FUNAAB alone.

"The Office of the Wakeelul Muslimeen of Yorubaland Edo and Delta, Sheikh Iskeel Lawal Sugar has been inundated with calls and enquiries from stakeholders across the country on the issue of Niqob at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

"The Office of the Wakeel, on behalf of League of Imams and Alfas in Ogun State, wishes to state that we are on top of the matter, alongside security agencies in Ogun State and the management of the Institution.

"Niqob is not an indecent dress, it is a mode of dressing in Islam as prescribed by Quran (Islamic Scripture) for female Muslims who choose to dress in the same manner. Niqob is not only peculiar to FUNAAB, it is a regular usage seen in Public Institutions across the Country.

"FUNAAB is also not a private institution; it's a public university, and what is obtainable in all Public Institutions can not be an exception in FUNAAB, which is publicly owned."

Wakeelu Muslemeen said his office is aware of the submission of the Institution at a recent court case between the institution and some aggrieved students to the effect that Niqob is not banned in the school.

He also promised to work with the Management of the Institution to address the reservation of the School on proper profiling and identification process of the students in Niqob.

"The Office is also not unaware of a Court judgement delivered by an Abeokuta Federal High Court on the same subject matter. Indeed, the submission of FUNAAB before the Court was that "Niqob is not banned in the Institution".

"Although, the Office is not unaware of the reservations of FUNAAB Management to Niqob, especially due to the security situation in the country, the Office shall however work with the Management of the Institution on proper profiling and identification of students in Niqob by female security officers within the School as may be necessary without any undue harassment."

Muslims Students of the University have been having face-off with the management over the use of Niqob, with the latter categorising same in the same class as crazy jeans and mini skirt.