• Libya’s Interior Minister announced plans to enforce Islamic moral codes, including mandatory hijab, restrictions on Western clothing and mixed-gender gatherings.
• These measures may only apply regionally.
Libya’s Interior Minister has unveiled plans to implement Islamic moral guidelines, including compulsory hijab, limitations on Western attire, and prohibitions on mixed-gender gatherings. At a recent conference, Imad al-Tarabulsi shared intentions to create a “morality police” alongside a women’s police unit to address behaviours he described as “a threat to Libya’s traditional values.”
A set of new regulations is scheduled to take effect next month, including restrictions on “inappropriate” hairstyles for young men, limitations on Western-style clothing, social media monitoring, and bans on mixed-gender public gatherings. Al-Tarabulsi also proposed making the hijab mandatory for schoolgirls starting in fourth grade and requiring a male guardian (mahram) for certain travel by women. Emphasising his commitment to protecting Libya’s cultural identity, he stated, “Anyone who wants to live freely should go and live in Europe.”
The proposals have gained substantial support among Libyans who feel that globalisation has eroded their cultural values, viewing the initiative as a vital step toward restoring social standards. Conversely, international organisations have expressed concern, arguing that these measures could significantly curb personal freedoms. Amnesty International, for instance, issued a statement condemning the proposals as a “dangerous escalation” that may heighten repression in Libya, warning that al-Tarabulsi’s “threats to suppress basic freedoms in the name of morality” could deepen restrictions in the country’s already unstable environment.
These measures are likely to be implemented only in certain areas, as Libya remains divided between two rival governments since the 2011 ouster of Muammar Gaddafi. The internationally recognized Government of National Unity (GNU) operates out of Tripoli in the west, while the east is governed by the Government of National Stability (GNS), backed by Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) in Tobruk. Efforts to unify Libya through elections have repeatedly stalled due to disagreements over the legal framework and eligibility criteria, compounding the political deadlock, with both factions asserting legitimacy.
The security landscape is further destabilised by competing armed groups, frequently clashing over resources and territory, particularly in the south. Tripoli remains volatile as local rivalries can easily erupt into violence. Meanwhile, external powers heavily influence Libyan politics; Egypt, Russia, and the UAE back Haftar’s forces, while Turkey supports the Tripoli-based GNU, turning Libya into a proxy battleground that complicates any path toward stability.
