Tajikistan to ban hijab after years of unofficial restrictions
Predominantly Muslim Tajikistan is poised to outlaw the hijab.
The move comes after years of unofficial restrictions which have forced many women to choose between their careers and their faith.
Draft amendments to the law on “traditions and celebrations” have been adopted by the parliament to ban the Islamic attire.
They target clothing deemed foreign to Tajik culture.
These amendments include hefty fines for offenders, with penalties ranging from $740 for individuals to $5,400 for legal entities.
President Emomali Rahmon is expected to sign the bill into law.
The government’s campaign to promote the Tajik national dress dates back to 2007.
That was when the Education Ministry first banned Islamic clothing and Western-style miniskirts for students.
The government also unofficially banned thick beards. There are reports of thousands of men being stopped and forcibly shaved by police.
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