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Muslim clerics in Tajikistan reject hijabs as “imported”
by Scott Gilbreath ~ November 10th, 2008
Tajikistan’s Council of Islamic Clerics are encouraging Tajik women not to wear hijabs; rather, women should wear traditional national clothing. The hijab, they say, is imported and “not compatible” with the norms of Islam.
So much for the argument made by many Muslims in other countries that the hijab is a religious requirement of Islam. According to that view, women who do not wear a head scarf violate Islamic teaching.
Just a slight difference in perspective there.
In an official meeting with clerics and imams last week, the country’s Council of Islamic Clerics suggested that “foreign-made” hijabs are unsuitable for women in Tajikistan.
Instead, the clerics have encouraged Tajik women to switch to the national costume, which consists of a dress reaching below the knee, worn with trousers. The color and length of the national costume vary depending on women’s individual tastes. A hijab is considered optional.
[…]
Cleric Qobiljon Boev, the head of the fatwa department at the council, says the clerics believe the imported hijabs “do not meet Islamic standards.” He said the hijabs “seem to be too tight.”
[...]
Tajik girls should wear our national costume. Those [imported] hijabs are not compatible with real Islamic standards, and we – as representatives of an Islamic center, the Council of Islamic Clerics – oppose those hijabs that don’t meet Islamic requirements.”
The news story suggests that the government, which has been trying to suppress the hijab, may have pressured the council to stand this stand. Even so, if council members viewed hijab-wearing as a bona fide requirement for Muslim women, it is doubtful they would have agreed to issue a statement saying otherwise.
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November 13th, 2008 at 07:15 PM
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