The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) has allegedly banned the wearing of niqab in schools, according to information reaching What's On-Gambia.

A niqab-wearing student at the University of The Gambia (UTG) disclosed: " We are devastated. It has come to our notice that MoBSE has banned the niqab in schools across the country. we have been wearing the niqab for years for Allah's sake. The niqab isn't an Arabic culture but rather, it's part of Islam and we have several pieces of evidence to prove it's Sunnah of the prophet (may Allah be pleased with him)."

She added: "We want to dress modestly to protect ourselves from harassment and abuse as every woman is seen as an object of sex now even if you dislike it. This decision has violated our rights and it's not part of equal rights for all. Women are encouraged to dress any naked/half-naked way in all schools from college to primary schools but when one dresses Islamically, the ministry and those like them are annoyed. what is this? this is making us go through a lot of stress."

The UTG student further argued: "We need all voices to stand with us, please. If everyone has the right to dress anyhow, what's wrong with our choice of covering our faces? We are mature enough to choose what we want just like other non-niqab/hijab women."

What's On-Gambia tried in vain to reach the MoBSE.