Thursday, January 31, 2008

Turkish Islam and the headscarf

"Turkish Islam and the headscarf

The struggle between secularism and Islam in Turkey continues; now the Islamic-inclined government, which defeated the keenly secularist party in the election, plans to lift the ban on women covering their heads, Muslim-style, at universities (dating in spirit from Ataturk's secularism and in law from 1997). Under the changes only traditional scarves will be permitted in universities, tied loosely under the chin. No burqas, no chadors. Even so there is a row about it, and the Prime Minister has stressed that this reform will be restricted to universities and that women civil servants and teachers will still be banned from covering their heads."

More:Faith Central - Times Online - WBLG: Turkish Islam and the headscarf