Tajikistan Parliament Passes Bill Banning Hijab and Children’s Eid Celebrations

Tajikistan, located in Central Asia and bordering Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, is moving forward with a ban on the hijab, as its upper parliament approved a bill on June 19. The legislation, passed during the 18th session of the upper house of Parliament, Majlisi Milli, under the leadership of Rustam Emomali, prohibits what it terms as “alien garments” and children’s celebrations during the two major Islamic holidays, Eid al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha.

The bill, which was also approved by the lower chamber of parliament, Majlisi Namoyandagon, on May 8, specifically targets traditional clothing such as the hijab, an Islamic headscarf. This move follows amendments to the code of administrative violations, introducing hefty fines for violators. Previously, the code did not mention hijabs or other religious clothing as violations.

Penalties for individuals found violating the ban range from 7,920 somonis, with significantly higher fines for government officials and religious authorities, reaching up to 57,600 somonis upon conviction.

Tajikistan’s official ban on the hijab follows years of unofficial restrictions, which also extended to bushy beards. In 2007, the Education Ministry banned Islamic clothing and Western-style miniskirts for students, later extending this ban to all public institutions.

In recent years, the Tajik government has promoted the wearing of Tajik national dress, as outlined in “The Guidebook Of Recommended Outfits In Tajikistan,” released in 2018. Additionally, in 2017, the government sent messages to mobile phone users encouraging women to wear Tajik national attire.