The Wearing of Hijab is Finally Banned in Tajikistan

News:

The Parliament of Tajikistan adopted amendments to the law “On the regulation of traditions, celebrations and rituals in the Republic of Tajikistan” and banned the wearing of so-called “clothing that is contrary to national culture.” This clothing is not directly named in the law, but experts believe that we are primarily talking about women’s Muslim clothing, taking into account the many years of practice of the Tajik authorities in combating it. Moreover, not only the hijab, but also satr is prohibited.According to the law, the import of such clothing into the country, its sale and wearing in public places is now officially prohibited in Tajikistan - this will result in a fine. Individuals who violate the ban may be fined 7,920 somoni, or $733 at the current exchange rate, while officials face a fine of 39,600 somoni, or $3,668. Separately, it is worth noting that the amendments were adopted by parliament without submitting them for public discussion.

The amendments have not yet entered into legal force, but immediately after the adoption of the law, a video began to be distributed on social networks in Tajikistan: judging by the picture, it was filmed at the entrance to one of the medical institutions. In the video, an employee of the institution threatens women with a fine of 3.5 thousand somoni for a satr - a female Muslim headdress.

Comment:

This step was the latest in a series of measures to restrict religious symbols and practices in the country. The authorities say that such measures are aimed at combating religious extremism and preserving national identity, but it is obvious to everyone that this is just another step in the fight against Islam in the country.

The ban on wearing the hijab in Tajikistan is not an isolated event, but a continuation of many years of state policy to secularize society and restrict religious freedoms. With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Tajikistan, like many other Central Asian countries, began to experience a revival of religious traditions. However, since the mid-2000s, the country's government under the leadership of President Emomali Rahmon began to take measures to control religious activity under the pretext of preserving the secular nature of the state.

In recent years, Tajik authorities have passed a number of laws and decrees aimed at restricting religious symbols and practices. For example, in 2017, a law was passed prohibiting the wearing of religious clothing in government institutions, which, in essence, concerned the hijab. The authorities explain these measures by the need to combat radicalization and preserve national identity.

President Rahmon has repeatedly stated that the hijab is an alien element of Tajik culture and poses a threat to national unity. In public speeches, he emphasized that the traditional clothing of Tajik women does not include wearing a hijab, and traditional scarves and national costumes should become the basis of the national dress code.

In Islam, the hijab is considered a religious duty for a Muslim woman, a manifestation of modesty and devotion to religious precepts. The Qur'an and Hadith instruct women to cover their heads and bodies to protect women from unwanted attention and preserve their dignity.

Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Muhammad Mansour