2024-04-18 07:28:40
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In anticipation of the crisis of veiled girls during last year’s exams, an independent commission responsible for resolving all questions relating to religious freedom, guaranteed by international and national texts, was set up. Thus, several points were discussed during a meeting held on October 19, 2023 at the MEPU-A department, with the participation of Ulemas, the cabinet of the department of religious affairs, the union of Franco-Arab schools and others key stakeholders, concerning 7 major grievances in order to take them into account for the next national examinations and thus avoid any crisis.
Very strangely, no consideration was given to the Friday prayer time in the published calendar, in particular for the dates of June 14, 2024 and June 21, 2024. In principle, respect for the prayer time Friday is a constitutional and ethical obligation, which cannot under any circumstances be abrogated.
Knowing the importance of Friday prayer in Islam and the Islamic configuration of Guinea, it would be very wise and responsible to revise the two dates while respecting the time of prayer, in order to allow candidates, delegates and supervisors of Islamic faith to fulfill their religious duty in accordance with the prescriptions and norms of Islam.
It is also necessary to draw the attention of the new Minister, who is himself a practicing man, to these crucial and important issues which need to be resolved before the examinations begin this year and in the years to come. This involves respecting the rights of veiled candidates, taking into account Friday prayers in accordance with their religious faith, i.e. Islam, and respecting the prayer schedule during school years. and especially during the various national exams. In this sense, we recall the grievances taken into account and recommended by the Platform of Muslims of Guinea, which were expressed to your predecessor, which are:
1. The choice of decent clothing is a right, no one should be stigmatized for having practiced the recommendations of their religion in the sense of religious freedom and tolerance in public, administrative, school and university spaces…
2. The establishment of a permanent consultation framework between the MEPU-A department, the General Secretariat of Religious Affairs and the ulama of the Republic in order to facilitate awareness-raising and strengthen national cohesion around sensitive issues.
3. Appeal to the ulama through the General Secretariat of Religious Affairs, only religious people have the right to pronounce on major religious questions or religious events which must be scrutinized according to the precepts of worship. No one else was to comment on it without the advisory opinion of the Ulemas.
4. Acceptance of full veils in examination rooms with strict control measures by supervisors before access or even the configuration of a room only for girls without veils with supervisors.
5. The establishment of a comfortable framework against any discrimination against girls and women wearing veils or full veils and ensuring that delegates and supervisors can take appropriate measures to respect the girls’ choice.
6. The production of a circular note authorizing veiled girls to access classrooms to avoid any speculation given the multiple arrests on the ground.
7. Taking Friday prayer into account in the scheduling of national exams to enable delegates, supervisors and students to fulfill their religious duty.
In short, we express our ardent wishes for full success and divine grace for the authorities in the accomplishment of their mission, and we appeal to the good faith of each and every one with a view to their sincere support in the interest of the people.
Ibrahim MANSARE, PhD.
SPOKESPERSON FOR THE UNION OF FRANCO-ARAB SCHOOLS OF GUINEA