Students readmitted to Tajik university with head scarves
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 16 June 2009 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Students readmitted to Tajik university with head scarves, 16 June 2009, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4a41e0f11a.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
June 16, 2009
A young Tajik woman in a hijab (file photo)
DUSHANBE – Eight women students expelled from Tajik State University for refusing to remove their head scarves have been readmitted, RFE/RL's Tajik Service reports.
The women all say they will continue to wear their head scarves, or hijab.
Gulnora Bobonazarova was expelled from the university's Journalism Department in May for wearing her traditional Islamic head scarf. Seven other female students were also later expelled.
Bobonazarova thanked RFE/RL for reporting on her expulsion, which she said led human rights organizations to react to her case and bring it greater attention.
Tajik State University's Deputy Rector Latofat Nazirova told RFE/RL that the decision to readmit Bobonazarova was based mainly on "an understanding of women's role in Tajik society."
But she added that the students should, by the same token, consider the government's ban on traditional Islamic clothing such as head scarves.
