This week, the Central Asian nation of Tajikistan officially prohibited the wearing of hijabs and other alien garments, as the country's parliament passed a new bill regulating Islamic clothing and Eid celebrations.
The bill, which was approved by the upper house of parliament, Majlisi Milli, on June 19, follows a decade-long unofficial clampdown on the hijab in the nation with a Muslim majority.
Under the new legislation, individuals who don hijabs or other prohibited religious attire may be subjected to substantial fines of up to 7,920 somonis (roughly $700). Companies that allow their employees to wear prohibited garments face penalties of 39,500 somonis ($3,500). If found in violation, government officials and religious leaders face even steeper fines of 54,000-57,600 somonis ($4,800-$5,100)
Furthermore, the bill prohibits children from participating in festivities and gift-giving traditions associated with the Islamic holidays of Eidul Fitr and Eidul Azha. Government officials have stated that these measures are intended to guarantee the proper education and safety of children during the holidays.
Tajikistan has seen an increase in Islamic clothing from the Middle East in recent years, which authorities view as linked to extremism and a threat to the country's cultural identity. In March, President Emomali Rahmon referred to the hijab as "foreign clothing." The government has promoted traditional Tajik national dress as an alternative.
The new law signifies an escalation of Tajikistan's informal restrictions on Islamic attire. Since 2007, the hijab has been banned for students, with the prohibition extending to all public institutions. Authorities have also discouraged men from having bushy beards, with reports of police forcibly shaving thousands of beards over the past decade.
Human rights organizations have expressed their disapproval of Tajikistan's hijab ban as a violation of religious liberty. With Muslims comprising over 98% of the population, it is likely that the law will face significant opposition within Tajik society as it goes into effect.
