President of Tajikistan bans wearing headscarf

On 20 June 2024, the National Assembly, the upper house of the Parliament of Tajikistan, adopted a bill banning the wearing of headscarves and the celebration of Ramadan and Kurban holidays.

LAW SIGNED SWIFTLY

According to the law, which describes the headscarf as "foreign clothing that does not belong to the culture of the country", Muslim women cannot wear the headscarf in the country. In addition, the Islamic holidays of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha cannot be celebrated in Tajikistan.

The regulation completely banning the headscarf in Tajikistan, which previously banned wearing the headscarf in public institutions and schools, was passed by the parliament on 19 June 2024. Tajikistan's President Imamali Rahman signed the regulation adopted by the legislature before 24 hours had passed.

FINES FOR LAW VIOLATORS

The law bans the wearing, importing, selling and advertising of headscarves.

Citizens of Tajikistan who violate the law will be fined 7,920 Tajikistani somoni (approximately 25,000 Turkish liras), government officials 54,000 somoni (approximately 167,000 Turkish liras) and religious authorities 57,600 somoni (approximately 178,000 Turkish liras).

On the other hand, it is de facto forbidden for men to grow beards in Tajikistan. Thousands of men have been forcibly shaved by the police in the last ten years.

The House of Representatives, the lower house of the Tajikistan parliament, had approved the law on 8 June.