|
| MAIN SITE |
 |
 COMPARATIVE RELIGION |
| INTERFAITH DIALOGUE FORUM |
| ABOUT |
|
| WORLD RELIGIONS |
|
| BUDDHISM |
| CHRISTIANITY |
| CONFUCIANISM |
| HINDUISM |
| ISLAM |
| JUDAISM |
| SHINTO |
| SIKHISM |
| TAOISM |
| ZOROASTRIANISM |
|
| MAIN SECTIONS |
|
| WORLD RELIGIONS |
ALTERNATIVE SPIRITUALITY |
| ANCIENT MYTHOLOGY |
| GENERAL ARTICLES |
|
| SPECIAL FEATURE: |
|
| APOCRYPHA |
|
|
COMMUNITY FORUMS |
|
| BELIEF & SPIRITUALITY |
| ABRAHAMIC RELIGIONS |
| EASTERN THOUGHT |
| ALTERNATIVE SPIRITUALITY |
| ANCIENT MYTHOLOGY |
| COMPARATIVE STUDIES |
|
|
|
Interfaith: Home / Blog article: Constitutional Amendments Allow Hijabs In Turkey
February 13, 2008Constitutional Amendments Allow Hijabs In Turkey
by Rohan Parker
Last Saturday, a constitutional amendment was passed in the Turkish Parliament that allows Muslim women to wear the Islamic head scarf, known as the Hijab, in universities. This amendment is in direct opposition to protests from thousands of secular Turks.
There are two amendments to rectify the situation facing Muslim women, the first being equal treatment being granted to all by state institutions and the second stating that all Turks have the right to higher education and may not be dispossessed of this right.
The reason this issue has caused so much controversy in Turkey, is that though the country is predominantly Muslim, it was constructed as a secular country by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, and has never allowed the wearing of religious attire in public. The concerns raised by secular protesters is that, by allowing the hijab or Islamic head scarves to be worn in public, other religious accoutrements may soon follow.
Fears have been raised by many influential Turks, including independent lawmaker Kamer Genc, who stated that the ban being lifted would induce discord in the universities and lead to a fracturing of Turkish society.
Concerns have also been raised by secular women, who fear that with the onset of hijabs being allowed in universities, they may be expected to cover their bodies elsewhere. The government plans to combat this fear by passing laws to cite how the hijab may be worn, and also making it illegal to wear full-length chadors or burqas in public.
In the amendment it is stated that the scarves should be tied beneath the chin, and that the woman’s face must be left uncovered.
There is still opposition to the amendment, mainly from the Republican People’s Party, who have confirmed that they will be bringing an appeal against the amendment.
According to a statement made by the deputy chairman of the People’s Party, Kemal Kilcdaroglu, the party believes that this change to the constitution is brought on by pressure from certain groups, rather than the nation requesting it.
According to the government, however, the law is to promote the democratic freedom of Turks and to aid in Turkey being accepted into the European Union.
At this stage, the amendments are not official until President Abdullah Gul has signed them, and as the President is a practicing Muslim, it is looking like the constitutional changes will stand.
Discuss this in the Interfaith forums
Story link: Constitutional Amendments Allow Hijabs In Turkey
Add to Bookmarks:
Related stories:
Leave a Reply
Previous: « Death Penalty Sought For 9/11 Detainees
Next: Controversy Over Williams Sharia Law Statements »
Visited 1297 times, 2 so far today