HIJAB PERCEPTIONS IN SELECTED COUNTRIES: A LEGAL ANALYSIS
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Date
2018
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Published by the Faculty of Law, Novena University, Ogume, Delta State Nigeria
Abstract
The issue of wearing hijab by Muslim women has become notorious and politically debated in several countries in recent times. While some see it as a symbol of religious identity and modesty, others see it as a symbol of oppression and torture. However, there are controversies as to its acceptability in schools, work and other public places. Several countries have taken actions to ban the use of Muslim veils and headscarves in public through their constitutions. This has resulted to the expulsion and voluntary exit of some Muslim students from school and women from work. The ban is, however, assumed to be a violation of the rights to freedom of religion of Muslim women which has also led to the violation of the rights to education of these women. Some of the victims of the ban have sought redress in the courts of law and have had a couple of ‘controversial’ judgments. This paper will focus on the trends of banning the hijab in France, Turkey, the United States of America, Tunisia and Switzerland. The right to freedom of religion, the right to education and the constitutional validity of the prohibition of the hijab are considered alongside a couple of court decisions.
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Keywords
Hijab, perception, analysis
Citation
Wuraola O. T. & Afolabi O. S. (2018): Hijab perceptions in selected countries: a legal analysis. Novena University Law Journal (N.U.L.J). 5, 130-156