BTN News: Tajikistan, a Central Asian nation that shares porous borders with Afghanistan officially banned hijab affecting personal liberty and religious expression. The Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina passed the law on June 19 forbidding alien garments like traditional Moslem clothes. It will now be decided by the upper house of Tajikistan’s parliament, Majlisi Milli, where religious attire in public spaces is also a contentious issue.
Context and Legislative Summary
Majlisi Namoyandagon is the lower chamber of the Parliament and it passed the bill on May 8 to start the legislative procedure. The legislation wider in scope applies to a prohibition of children wearing the hijab as well as prohibiting any form of kids parties during the mass celebrations of two major Islamic holidays: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. In explaining the proposed shutdowns, officials cited what they called “adequate education” and the protection of children.
Enforcement and Sanctions
The new rules are subject to fines for those found in violation of the law. Companies and officials will face even steeper penalties, up to fines of 79,200 somonis. The legislative action institutionalizes unofficial bans on Islamic attire that can be traced back to the Ministry of Education’s late-2007 efforts.
People’s Response and World Reaction
The ban has created a stir within the predominantly Muslim country and has sparked both patriotic discussions on culture perception and outrage over religious freedom. Critics say such laws infringe on students’ rights and aim at religious practices. Internationally, the action has alarmed human rights groups and embassies worried about religious freedoms.
Government Policy and Historical Context
President Emomali Rahmon has presented the measure as part of a wider campaign against what he refers to as “xenophobia in dress.” The government has previously sponsored campaigns showcasing traditional Tajik dress, juxtaposed against clothing sseen as foreign or extremist-associated.
Conclusion
It is another example of an issue in the region involving the crossroads of religious freedoms and state policy. Despite ongoing domestic and international debates, the stakes for individual rights and global diplomacy are high.
