Muslim-Majority Tajikistan Bans Hijab And 'Alien Garments', Curbs Eid Festivities

Tajikistan, a Central Asian nation bordering Afghanistan, is set to enforce a hijab ban following the passage of a law by the country's upper parliamentary house, the Majlisi Milli, on June 19.

This law prohibits the wearing of "alien garments" and bans children's festivities during the Islamic holidays of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

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The decision was made during the 18th session of the Majlisi Milli, led by chairman Rustam Emomali. The bill, initially passed by the lower chamber, the Majlisi Namoyandagon, on May 8, primarily targets the hijab and other traditional Islamic clothing.

Sulaiman Davlatzoda, head of the Religion Committee, stated that banning children's holidays aims to ensure proper education and safety during Ramadan and Eid al-Adha. The Majlisi Milli press center noted that the session supported amendments to laws concerning holidays, cultural practices, the role of teachers, and parental duties.

The influx of women's garments from the Middle East in recent years has raised concerns among officials about their links to Islamic extremism. This bill has sparked debate among Tajikistan's predominantly Muslim population.

Punishments under the new law include hefty fines for violations. Individuals could face fines up to 7,920 somonis, companies up to 39,500 somonis, and government officials and religious leaders could be fined up to 54,000 and 57,600 somonis, respectively.

Tajikistan has unofficially restricted the hijab since 2007, when the Ministry of Education banned Islamic attire and Western-style miniskirts for students. This ban later extended to all public institutions, with some requiring employees and visitors to remove headscarves. Local authorities have enforced this through market raids and street patrols, although officials have denied fining women for wearing hijabs.

The traditional Tajiki clothes are colourful, embroidered and has been adapted from Persian style of dressing. Since the country has a Soviet-Communist history with a majority Muslim population, the citizens of Tajikistan have often found themselves at crossroads between traditional Islam and atheism.

In recent years, the Tajik government has promoted traditional clothing through campaigns, including sending millions of text messages in 2017 urging women to wear national attire. In 2018, a 376-page manual, "The Guidebook of Recommended Outfits in Tajikistan," was published to detail appropriate attire for various occasions.

Additionally, there has been an informal discouragement of bushy beards among men, with reports of forced shavings by police. Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon highlighted the issue of "xenophobia in clothing" in March, criticising the wearing of foreign clothes and hijabs.