EurasiaNet Civil Society - Tajik Universities Bar Hijab-Wearing Girls From Exams

CIVIL SOCIETY

TAJIK UNIVERSITIES BAR HIJAB-WEARING GIRLS FROM EXAMS
8/03/07
A EurasiaNet Partner Post from RFE/RL

Officials in Tajikistan’s State Teacher Training Institute have told RFE/RL’s Tajik Service that female applicants are no longer allowed to take university entrance exams there wearing Islamic head scarves.

Today’s remarks come after three applicants wearing hijabs, or head scarves, were prevented from taking entrance exams at the National University on July 31.

The Ministry of Education has banned the hijab for school and university students.

A 20-year-old female student, Davlatmoh Ismoilova, is suing the ministry over the ban. The challenge was thrown out last month, but Ismoilova has vowed to appeal.

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