Tigray Muslims protest ban of hijab in schools

(Photo: Harun Media)

ADDIS ABABA - The Tigray Islamic Affairs Supreme Council has threatened to take action against the recent ban on hijab in Axum town, arguing that it shall take “further peaceful measures in consultation with believers” over the predicament.

“We request that the law issued by the Federal Ministry of Education regarding Muslim students’ dress code be respected,” the Council said in a statement released in Mekelle, the regional administrative capital of Tigray.

According to the council, the violation of constitutional and fundamental rights shall be opposed, adding that the Ministry of Education should respect fundamental human rights and regional laws.

“This hijab ban violates citizens’ human rights, the constitution, Ministry of Education guidelines, and our regional laws.” It further emphasized, “School regulations should not contradict the constitution. Our hijab-wearing request should be addressed according to Ministry of Education regulation number 6.3.”

Haji Mohammed Kahsay, Secretary of the Islamic Affairs Council in Tigray, previously told Addis Standard that the ban disproportionately affected grade 12 students, Addis Standard reports.

“Some students have been prevented from registering for the national exams because they were not allowed to enter the school premises.”

“The political and environmental crisis in Tigray is enough; opening another door for a religion-based crisis would push the region from bad to worse.” The Council also underscored the impact on students, stating, “Preventing them from attending school just for wearing a hijab that reflects their identity is illegal and unjust.”

The Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council previously stated that “no resolution has been reached” regarding the case of Muslim students in Axum, Tigray Regional State, who were barred from attending classes for wearing hijabs.

GAROWE ONLINE