Freedom Of Religion Violated

AS a citizen I have taken it upon myself to read my country’s Constitution, because I strongly believe that one needs to know about one’s individual rights.

I am glad that Namibia has secured certain rights for its citizens and that we live in a democratic society. One of the rights that concerns me specifically is the right to religion.I am shocked to learn that there are universities as well as schools and employers that disregard this right.Having been a student at a certain institution I was confronted with the harsh reality of choosing between my religion and certain assignments.Faced with such reality I refused to go against my religion and fought for what I believed in.However some students decided to bully me about it, thus causing emotional harm to my person.Recently my sister brought a letter home which stated that students were to write their examinations on Saturday.There was only one problem though: on Saturday is my family’s Sabbath, our day of worshipping God.I found the letter extremely disturbing as the Khomas High School ignored our religious rights.There was no option given to my sister to write on Monday instead of Saturday.I therefore took the liberty to write a letter to the principal to plead with him to respect my sister’s right to worship her God in peace on that said day, but he refused, saying that there were other children with the same religion writing their examination on Saturday and that they had no problem with that.I felt very much offended as our Constitution clearly states that we have freedom of religion and thus guaranteed.Obviously the Constitution was just some useless paper to some principals, employers or rectors.My sister was quite emotional about the whole thing.She expressed her disappointment in her principal as he deliberately ignored her right to freedom of religion.Afraid that she might lose the right to continue writing her exam, she eventually relented.I have come across other students or employees who did the same.The reason being that they were not emotionally strong enough to go against the decision of the authorities in charge.Considering that 90 per cent of Namibians are religious, this right should be respected and thus implemented by principals, rectors and employers.It should not give way to those in power to abuse it nor give them the right to ignore it.I understand that not respecting religious in other countries has led to wars that could have been prevented by enabling those involved to practice their religion freely.Let us not fool ourselves.But rather respect each other in a way that will build this nation, not destroy this nation.Let us work together as a nation and practice unity.Unite the nation and don’t only preach about it.Lucia Engombe, Via e-mailOne of the rights that concerns me specifically is the right to religion.I am shocked to learn that there are universities as well as schools and employers that disregard this right.Having been a student at a certain institution I was confronted with the harsh reality of choosing between my religion and certain assignments.Faced with such reality I refused to go against my religion and fought for what I believed in.However some students decided to bully me about it, thus causing emotional harm to my person.Recently my sister brought a letter home which stated that students were to write their examinations on Saturday.There was only one problem though: on Saturday is my family’s Sabbath, our day of worshipping God.I found the letter extremely disturbing as the Khomas High School ignored our religious rights.There was no option given to my sister to write on Monday instead of Saturday.I therefore took the liberty to write a letter to the principal to plead with him to respect my sister’s right to worship her God in peace on that said day, but he refused, saying that there were other children with the same religion writing their examination on Saturday and that they had no problem with that.I felt very much offended as our Constitution clearly states that we have freedom of religion and thus guaranteed.Obviously the Constitution was just some useless paper to some principals, employers or rectors.My sister was quite emotional about the whole thing.She expressed her disappointment in her principal as he deliberately ignored her right to freedom of religion.Afraid that she might lose the right to continue writing her exam, she eventually relented.I have come across other students or employees who did the same.The reason being that they were not emotionally strong enough to go against the decision of the authorities in charge.Considering that 90 per cent of Namibians are religious, this right should be respected and thus implemented by principals, rectors and employers.It should not give way to those in power to abuse it nor give them the right to ignore it.I understand that not respecting religious in other countries has led to wars that could have been prevented by enabling those involved to practice their religion freely.Let us not fool ourselves.But rather respect each other in a way that will build this nation, not destroy this nation.Let us work together as a nation and practice unity.Unite the nation and don’t only preach about it.Lucia Engombe, Via e-mail