Turkish top court bans hijab at universities

Ankara, NU Online
Turkey’s top court ruled that the hijab is still banned at universities, a decision that defies the Islamic-oriented government.

The battle over the hijab in Muslim-majority Turkey is still going on.<>

On Thursday, Turkey’s top court ruled that the Islamic headscarves are banned in universities, a decision that defies the Islamic-oriented government which has been trying to make the hijab a symbol of religious and personal freedom.

According to the CNN, the Constitutional Court verdict says amendments passed by the Turkish Parliament in February are against the secular principles of the country’s Constitution.

In addition, the verdict is expected to have repercussions on a separate court case in which Turkey's chief prosecutor is seeking to disband the ruling party on grounds that it is the focal point of anti-secular activities.

“I don't think that the court will rule any differently than it did in 1989. It will not open the doors to head scarves”, a lecturer at Ankara's Bilkent University, Ali Tekin, told CNN.

The expected upholding of the ban might be overruled by the allegation that it violated secularism.

Last February, many Muslim female students were relieved to know that the parliament voted to amend the Constitution to allow the hijab in universities even though the ban remained effective in schools and government offices.

But now, the decision of whether they can follow their religion remains in the hands of the court. (ajp/dar)