Tajikistan parliament approves bill prohibiting Hijab and Children's celebrations during Eid

Digital Desk: Tajikistan, a Muslim-majority Central Asian country bordering Afghanistan, has enacted a controversial ban on the hijab for women following the passage of a law by the Majlisi Milli, the country's upper parliamentary house, on June 19. The new legislation, endorsed by President Emomali Rahmon, categorizes hijabs as "alien garments" and imposes strict regulations on their use. The bill, initially passed by the lower chamber, the Majlisi Namoyandagon, on May 8, specifically targets traditional Islamic clothing, including the hijab.

In addition to the hijab ban, the legislation also outlaws the custom of 'Idi,' wherein children request money from their elders during the Islamic festivals of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The government's stance is that these practices are incongruent with Tajik culture and aim to protect national heritage.

Offenders of the new law face significant financial penalties. Individuals found wearing prohibited attire can be fined between 8,000 and 65,000 somonis (approximately Rs 60,560 to Rs 5 lakh). Government officials and religious leaders who do not comply face even steeper fines, ranging from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, as reported by Asia-Plus News.

President Rahmon has also enacted laws to curb "overspending" during Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and Nowruz festivals, to foster financial prudence and safeguard traditions. Sulaiman Dvlatzoda, head of the Religious Committee, articulated to Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service that the ban on Idi is intended to ensure "proper education and safety during Ramadan and Eid al-Adha."

This legislative move is seen as an extension of Tajikistan's ongoing efforts to minimize the influence of foreign customs and reinforce national identity. The prohibition on the hijab is not new; an unofficial ban was already in place last year when President Rahmon labeled the hijab as "foreign clothing" in a public address. He emphasized that xenophobic tendencies in clothing, such as adopting foreign styles and the hijab, pose significant societal issues.

Tajikistan's crackdown on Islamic attire dates back to 2007 when the Education Ministry prohibited both Western-style miniskirts and Islamic attire in educational institutions. The recent developments align Tajikistan with other Muslim-majority nations like Azerbaijan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan, which have also implemented bans on hijabs and burqas in public schools, universities, or for government officials.