• Tajikistan to officially ban the hijab after years of increasing secularisation and crackdown on Islamic attire.
• Individuals could be fined for wearing clothes that are “alien to Tajik culture” which is a term commonly used for the hijab.
In recent years, Tajikistan has witnessed a significant escalation in government efforts to regulate Islamic practices, particularly focusing on women’s attire and men’s beards. Thousands of women in the country are being forced to choose between pursuing their careers or wearing the Islamic hijab amid increasing crackdowns by the authorities in Dushanbe. Although there was no formal legislation explicitly banning the hijab, authorities have effectively enforced such a ban in schools and workplaces through various administrative measures and public campaigns.
Tajikistan, along with its Central Asian neighbors, is a former Soviet republic. The legacy of communist secularist ideology persists, influencing current governmental policies. These countries are also part of the Russian bloc, where Russia itself has faced significant issues with Islamic revolts, such as the Chechen conflict. This historical context shapes the secular approach in many central Asian countries. The population of Central Asia is majority Muslim and not only that, Islamic scholars who have immensely contributed to Islam came from the region of Central Asian such as Imam Al-Bukhari, Imam Al-Tirmidhi and many more. Given this fact it seems strange that this region would be so hostile towards the hijab.
Since 2007, the Tajik government has progressively extended the ban on Islamic clothing in public institutions, including schools and workplaces. Authorities have conducted market raids, imposed street fines, and promoted national dress. In 2017, a 376-page guidebook on recommended traditional outfits was released, urging women to adhere to these guidelines. Additionally, an unofficial ban on beards has been enforced, with thousands of men reportedly having their beards forcibly shaved by police over the past decade. Despite Central Asia’s rich Islamic history, its current governments see the hijab as “Arab culture” and a threat to their “culture”.
The government’s actions are part of a broader attempt to promote secularism and control religious expression. President Emomali Rahmon, in power since 1992, has linked increased religiosity with extremism. His administration has dismantled the opposition Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT), which he views as a significant threat to his rule.
The situation has escalated with the recent adoption of draft amendments to the law on “traditions and celebrations” by the Tajik parliament. These amendments will formally prohibit the wearing, importing, selling, and advertising of clothing deemed “alien to Tajik culture,” a term widely used by officials to describe Islamic attire, including the hijab.
Alongside these amendments, changes to the code of administrative violations have been approved, imposing heavy fines on individuals and entities that violate the dress code. Individuals could face fines up to $740, while legal entities might be fined up to $5,400. Government officials and religious authorities could incur even higher penalties. These draft laws are expected to be reviewed by the upper house of parliament and signed into law by President Rahmon.
This move to formalise the hijab ban may also be influenced by the recent terrorist attack on the Moscow concert hall,where it was found out that all of the attackers were of the Tajik ethnicity. So given Russia’s strong influence in the region and President Rahmon’s desire to stay in power, this may be a move to simply reassure the Russian government.
The promotion of “national dress” and crackdown on Islamic attire are part of a broader trend of nationalism that isn’t only limited to Tajikistan or Central Asia. This nationalism, which prioritises “culture over religion,” poses a significant challenge within the Muslim community. It contributes to the disunity among Muslim countries, which weakens their collective ability to address issues like the Palestinian struggle.
