A ban on the Hijab in the Central Asian nation of Tajikistan was among 35 laws signed by President Emomali Rahmon.
The Office of the President of Tajikistan issued a statement on Thursday, saying: “The President signed 35 laws, including a new version of the laws on the organization of celebrations and rituals, the responsibility of parents for the education and upbringing of children, the prohibition of wearing clothing alien to the national culture.”
The Tajik President back in March made it clear that national clothing reflects the material and spiritual values of his country’s heritage, and makes it possible to identify the nation just through clothing.
“Imitating an alien culture in dress, such as wearing foreign clothes such as the hijab, constitutes another problem for Tajik society,” he explained.
Rahmon stated that deviating from the etiquette and traditions of dress amounts to “cultural alienation” that undermines the independence of thought and national and cultural identity.
“We must avoid the penetration of so-called religious clothing that does not meet our religious needs, and is alien to our customs and culture, in order to protect our national truth and values.”
The laws of the Republic of Tajikistan “On the regulation of celebrations and ceremonies in Tajikistan” and “On responsibility for the education and upbringing of children” were adopted in a new version, with the aim of protecting the original values of national culture, stopping superstitions and prejudices, avoiding excess in holding celebrations and ceremonies, increasing the spirituality and socio-economic status of the Tajik people, as well as protection of the rights and freedoms of the children, encouraging patriotism, and teaching respect for national and universal values.
