By Sanaa Chowdhury
The hijab is a sign of modesty that Muslim women have fought to wear for centuries. Today, I will discuss the historical political battles that Muslims endured and the significant impact they had on the freedoms women enjoy or are denied today. Even if you are not a Muslim, I still recommend you read this as it addresses attacks on the freedom of women, not just about Muslims.
Turkey
In 1923, when Mustafa Kemal Ataturk founded the Turkish Republic, he introduced strict secular policies, such as banning the hijab in public institutions. This is to modernize the country and distancing it from Ottoman Islamic tradition. Thus, the Turkish government presented Muslim women in Turkey with a decision that weighed their religious beliefs against their participation in public life.
The tide turned in the early 2000s, as political parties with a more Islamic orientation, like the Justice and Development Party (AKP), gained power. Women fought years of legal battles and protests until Turkey finally lifted its ban on hijabs in universities in 2008. In 2013, the government also abolished the prohibition on hijabs in public sector jobs. These legal changes all occurred within 20 years following a long history of discrimination, highlighting how Islamophobia is a prevalent issue even in today’s society.
Germany
Similar to Turkey, Germany enforced a ban on women wearing hijabs in professions such as teaching, policing, the judiciary, and other jobs in public office on the grounds that it was necessary to maintain state neutrality. Thankfully, Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court deemed this unconstitutional in 2015, although the issue remains a point of contention. Hence, this decision did not bring complete freedom for Muslim women. Even today, hijab-wearing women may still face unfair treatment and dismissal based on religious bias accusations. Something that is rarely applied to followers of other religions.
Canada, France and Other European Countries
Several countries, including France, Belgium, Kosovo, and parts of Canada, opted for banning the wearing of the veil (hijab) and all other visible religious symbols in certain public institutions, including schools. Such restrictions, like the French law banning religious symbols in public schools, enacted in 2004, have been justified through the principle of secularism, which seeks to keep religion separate from the state. This kind of law, I believe, seems unjust, as humans deserve the fundamental right to freedom of expression and religion. This policy disproportionately affects Muslim women as it forces them to reveal parts of their bodies, making them uncomfortable. I understand how some may argue that such an action ensures equality, which aims to prevent religious differences from dividing the population. But shouldn’t school celebrate everyone’s differences instead of forcing everyone to be the same? This raises questions about whether the policy is truly about equality, or whether it reflects underlying Islamophobia and sexism.
In conclusion, women have fought in many countries for the right to be modest and conservative. It is essential that we remember these struggles so as not to repeat past injustices. In Turkey, women struggle to wear the hijab, while in France and Canada, authorities compel them to remove it. Both situations deprive women of their right to choose and control their own bodies.
While much of the debate is framed around secularism and public order, the central issue across these cases is women’s autonomy. The problem often goes unnoticed when the media solely focuses on countries like Afghanistan and others that mandate the hijab, while ignoring countries where it outlaws it. See how there is no outrage when governments prohibit women from wearing them?
My message to women around the world is to support each other. This is the reason I became a member of the World Hijab Day Organization, which advocates for the freedom to choose without fear of facing discrimination or coercion. This is my first article with them, and I hope it found a place in your thoughts.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
As an experienced Muslim writer, Sanaa Chowdhury is passionate about addressing the political, social, and economic challenges facing the Islamic world. Through her work, she aims to raise awareness and spark meaningful conversations about the issues impacting Muslims globally. Every day, she strives to inspire change and foster understanding, knowing that with the support of her audience: “Together we can make a positive and lasting impact.”