Opinion | Editorials
A reflection of wishes of the majority
The freedom to wear the hijab is a simple one and it should be handled as such
- Gulf News
- Published: 00:21 February 11, 2008
The divisive subject of whether or not to lift the ban on the Islamic headscarf (hijab) in universities has again come to the fore in Turkey. This follows the approval by the country's parliament of two constitutional amendments to ease the ban on students wearing the hijab.
The immediate reaction saw pictures of "modern" Turkey's founding father Kemal Ataturk being waved by thousands of secular Turks demonstrating in Ankara. Many protested that such a move would take the country back into the dark ages!
But isn't this the same ban which denied many girls an education when the right to education should be granted equally to all?
If anything, the country's secularism and advancement should be measured against this and not whether or not it has women wearing the hijab. And lest we forget, to be secular is to accept different customs, religions and practices and not to shun any for fear they might upset some.
Secondly, the move towards lifting a ban comes as a direct result of exercising democratic rules and principles - by a parliamentary vote - and could be described as a reflection of the wishes of the majority.
It should be reminded that democracy is indeed compatible with freedom to choose religious wear. On the other hand, the ruling AK party - an Islamist institution at heart - has made this issue a central point in its governing programme claiming they are only defending freedoms.
But the principle of freedom transcends the hijab. The ruling party has for example not moved to protect minority rights, including those of the Kurds.
Nevertheless, the freedom to wear the hijab is a simple one and it should be handled as such. Turkey retains the right as a government to legislate as it sees fit on even a topic that is considered sensitive in some people's eyes.
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