Hijab Hurdles – Tajikistan Rejects The ‘Peaceful’ Way!

Muslim majority Tajikistan officially rejects the ‘peaceful’ methods, marking them as foreign influences. This Central Asian nation neighbors the hardliner Afghanistan. However, it has taken a bold stance against such ‘traditional’ peaceful practices.

On June 19, the upper chamber of Tajikistan parliament passed a law banning the Hijab and other traditional Islamic clothing. The nation also prohibits many ‘peaceful’ traditions like Idi, beards, Islamic baby names, etc. This move has ignited a fiery debate over Islam and the rejection of ‘peaceful’ ways among Muslim nations.

Tajikistan Parliament Officially Rejects ‘Peaceful’ Hijab

BREAKING:

Tajikistan, a Muslim-majority country, has banned the hijab and public Eid celebrations, declaring them foreign culture. pic.twitter.com/q2wn2iSfBY

— Globe Eye News (@GlobeEyeNews) June 20, 2024

This controversial bill was initially passed on 8th May 2024. The bill explicitly targets Hijab and other head coverings by tagging them as “alien garments” linked to Islamic extremism. As per the Tajikistani lawmakers, these garments are part of Middle Eastern traditions, and in recent years many Muslims across the nation have adopted them. Moreover, the Muslims of Tajikistan have started to relate to Islam via these garments, which sparked concerns among Tajik authorities.

Tajik officials believe these clothes symbolize a shift towards radical Islamist ideologies.

Sulaiman Davlatzoda, head of the Religion Committee, also forbids public celebration of of Islamic festivals. Additionally, the government bans children’s participation on Bakri Eid and Eid-ul-Fitr. Reports state that he is convinced the ban will ensure proper education and safety of kids during Ramadan and Eid al-Adha. The new law includes severe penalties for non-compliance. Individuals may face fines up to 7,920 somonis equivalent to Rs. 60,000. Companies, government officials, and religious leaders could be fined as much as 57,600 somonis, equivalent to Rs. 3 lakhs. It seems that the Tajik authorities are set to root out hardline extremism from the nation. 

What ‘Peaceful’ Things Has Tajikistan Banned?

Tajikistan, a Muslim country, moves towards officially banning hijab after years of unofficially discouraging Salafist clothing.

To be sure, burqa and hijab are imported from the Middle East, and are not part of Central Asian culture.

Bordering Afghanistan, the Tajiks are… pic.twitter.com/LttGis8tEY

— S.L. Kanthan (@Kanthan2030) June 20, 2024

1. No Hijab in Public Places.
2. No Public celebration of Islamic festivals.
3. No louspeakers in mosques.
4. The custom of Idi, the money demanded by youngsters from elders, stands banned.
5. Children will not participate in Bakri Eid or Ramadan.
6. No Arabic names are to be given to Tajik babies. Instead, baby names from the Persian epic Shahnameh are encouraged.
7. In 2016, the Tajik authorities made a law to prevent marriages among cousins.
8. Informally, the Tajik government is discouraging men from sporting bushy beards.   

These laws by the Tajikistan government hope to stop the extremist ideology in its tracks. These small ‘peaceful’ ways are not indigenous to the Tajik culture. Therefore, to prevent the loss of local heritage and culture, the government has adopted these stringent ways. Therefore, Tajikistan’s predominantly Muslim population will not be living as per the ‘peaceful’ interpretations of Islam!

A Moment Of Reflection For Indian Muslims

This bold move by Tajikistan and other Islamic nations should give Indian Muslims food for thought. The hijab has been a topic of heated debate in India. Hardliners argue that the Hijab is a choice but also present it as an Islamic prerequisite. Thus, their concern over religious freedom clashes with basic personal freedom. Yet, they continue to fight for the right to wear Hijab!

Hence, Tajikistan’s stance on Middle-East-influenced Islamic interpretation and customs should serve as a wake-up call to India’s Muslims.

Indian Muslims should introspect whether wearing the Hijab is a genuine personal choice or a product of social pressure. If a 95% Muslim nation can reject the Hijab, why are Indian Muslims clinging to it so hard?

Bharat is home to the world’s third-largest Muslim population. Therefore, it is possible for India’s Muslims to mirror the ones in Tajikistan. Let’s invite all rational Muslims to reject the radical attire and traditions while they embrace their faith! Bharat asks Indian Muslims to live in peace without the ‘peaceful’ thoughts or practice of Gajwa, Hijab, Niqab, and Jihad! Hopefully, Indian ‘peacefuls’ will learn the difference between faith and cult by observing the Tajik narrative! Let Tajik authoritis and population be an example for Indian ‘peacefuls’!