Court grants interparte injunction to allow Muslim learners wear hijab at M’manga schools

High court Judge Jack N’Rriva has granted an interparte injunction allowing Muslim learners to continue wearing the headscarf at M’manga Primary School and Community Day secondary school in Balaka.

Concerned parents applied for the injunction through Counsel Cassius Chidothe after Anglican Diocese of Upper Shire, which runs the schools, denied Muslim learners to attend classes whilst dressed in Hijab.

Although, the Ministry of Education released a circular in May 2019 advising schools not to exclude any child for dressing according to their religious rights, the Anglican diocese resorted to close the schools.

Granting the injunction judge Nriva, said has done so to allow Muslim learners to attend classes because keeping them out of school cannot be rewarded with damages.

Speaking to radio Islam, Chidothe said the interparte hearing took place in January 2020 and judgment on the same has come a bit late because the courts were working on a slow pace due to COVID 19.

“The injunction means Mmanga schools will remain open and Muslim learners allowed to wear headscarves until such a time when a determination will be made on the case which is still in court,” Chidothe