Tajik Parliament imposes controversial national dress code ban, including hijab
Parliament in Tajikistan has decided to introduce a ban on "clothes that do not correspond to the national culture." According to the Radio Free Europe portal, the regulations do not specify precisely what this ban means, but society in Tajikistan is aware that it primarily concerns the hijab.
The portal emphasizes that Tajik society can understand what kind of clothing is being referred to, considering the many years of practice by the Tajik authorities in combating Islam. According to the new regulations, importing, selling, or wearing such clothing in public places will be subject to a fine.
The fine can be as high as 7920 somonis, approximately 1000 Canadian dollars. For public officials, the fine can be as high as 39600 somonis, or approximately 4800 Canadian dollars.
"The changes are absurd"
Experts point out that the regulations do not explain what the term "clothes that do not correspond to the national culture" means, as the canon of such clothing is not clearly defined. "The main difference between national and European clothing is that Tajik clothing contains national ornaments," explains Tajik national costume designer Romisz Odinazoda.
Munira Szhahidi, a Tajik culturologist, notes that their "national attire has continually evolved over the centuries, incorporating different elements. During Soviet times, it included Russian elements." She adds that "the freedom to wear clothes is important. It means there should not be any rigid rules or laws stating that I cannot cross certain boundaries. It's absurd."
The authorities fight for the secular state
Radio Free Europe notes that the parliament adopted the changes in the law without subjecting them to public discussion. International human rights organizations have repeatedly criticized the Tajik authorities for exerting pressure and discriminating against women wearing Muslim attire. The same goes for men expressing their religiosity, who often had their beards forcibly shaved.
In Tajikistan, a state that emerged after the collapse of the USSR, over 90 percent of the population are followers of Islam. However, similar to several neighbouring Central Asian states, the authorities are doing everything to maintain the formal secularism of the state, fearing a takeover by extremist religious groups. In the 1990s, the country experienced a civil war that lasted several years, in which one of the sides consisted of Islamist groups, including those linked to Al-Qaeda.
