Hijab ban prompts concern from parents in Tajik province
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 14 September 2009 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Hijab ban prompts concern from parents in Tajik province, 14 September 2009, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4ab9ca3a8.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
September 14, 2009
A young woman wears a hijab in Tajikistan.
KHUJAND, Tajikistan – At the suggestion of Tajikistan's Islamic Renaissance Party, education officials are meeting with parents to discuss a ban on the wearing of the hijab, or Islamic headscarf, in schools in northwest Sughd Province, RFE/RL's Tajik Service reports.
Saidmukhtor Jalolov of the Education Ministry recently introduced a new school uniform that allows national scarves but forbids students from wearing the hijab.
Officials told RFE/RL on September 11 that the Education Ministry has received 10 complaints from parents who want their daughters to have their head covered while attending school.
High school student Nilufar Zohidova said she kept wearing her veil to school despite the ban and was expelled after four days.
Tajik newspapers last week quoted anonymous education officials who said that the rule against the hijab will also soon be enforced on teachers.
Several university students were expelled from school last year as well.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website