After nearly two decades of restricting the Islamic hijab in public institutions, Tajikistan is set to legally ban it. A draft bill makes it illegal to wear, import, sell, or advertise “clothes alien to Tajik culture,” the term widely used by authorities to describe Islamic clothes.

After graduating from medical school, Salomat had to settle for working as a masseuse at a Dushanbe beauty salon because hospitals in Tajikistan don’t allow the Islamic hijab, which she wears.

“I had to choose between my career and my faith, and I chose the latter,” says Salomat, who didn’t want to give her full name. “I did remove my hijab in college because I thought that was temporary. But a career is for life.”

Thousands of women in Tajikistan have faced similar choices in recent years as the staunchly secular government in Dushanbe has been increasingly cracking down on the Islamic head scarf at schools and workplaces.

Despite the effective ban on the hijab in public institutions, there is no legislation in Tajikistan that outlaws Islamic attire. But that is about to change.

Parliament in the predominantly Muslim nation of some 10 million has adopted draft amendments to the law on “traditions and celebrations” that will ban the wearing, importing, selling, and advertising of “clothes alien to Tajik culture,” a term widely used by officials to describe Islamic clothing.

Several Dushanbe residents told RFE/RL that they don’t support a ban on certain types of clothes because they believe people should be free to choose what clothes they want to wear.

“It’s important to have the freedom to choose our own clothes. There shouldn’t be a law ordering us what to wear,” said Munira Shahidi, an expert on art and culture.

Most Tajiks believe the new amendments would only legalize a “ban that has already been in place for years.”

  • @AngryCommieKenderEnglish
    5•6 months ago

    As a non-participating* Baha’i, I still agree.

    I can understand the potential ban against the hijab in governmental, scholarly, and other public places, but only because of how the Shia, and to a lesser extent the Sufi, attempt to enforce those laws, and the absolute fact that religion and politics have no place in the same arena.

    Since it is Sunni that are creating and enforcing progressive laws, who am I to disagree? I can only mourn the needless violence and suffering that may occur amongst my cousins.

    • I was kind of “raised” Baha’i, except not exactly. I do not exercise any of my rights such as voting because I do not interact with other Baha’is. I am still technically a Baha’i, but I have been given the choice of the hardest route, of isolation and teaching by example.