Turkey: University rector orders headscarf ban on campus
23-04-2011
Istanbul, (Today's Zaman):
Trakya University Rektor Professor Enver Duran has ordered a university-wide ban on the Islamic head covering, publicizing it through written notices posted on pin boards throughout the university.
In the written notice, effective April 19, Duran openly tells students and staff to “Ignore the debates and different practices in Turkey and implement the ban,” listing his specific instructions. The notice reads that “a person not complying with the ban will necessitate the commencement of a disciplinary investigation as per the Higher Education Board [YÖK].”
The rector separately lists the places and events where students wearing a headscarf are not allowed to go. These include “Faculties, institutes, graduate schools, conservatoriums and all teaching institutions, laboratories, clinics, polyclinics, surgery rooms, libraries, research and training centers, bureaus, dormitories, dining hall, canteen, cafeteria, corridors and meetings or ceremonies of all departments connected to the chancery.” The statement outlines the “necessity for all students, female or male, to be bare-headed, wear modern clothing and be of modern appearance in all the places mentioned.” Expressing dissatisfaction about “there not being any specific legislation regarding the headscarf” when there was great need for it, Duran justified the university ban in terms of Article 4 of the university’s General Appearance, Clothing and Behavior Regulations. The notice also includes threat of YÖK action in the event of an individual’s contravention of the ban, despite the lack of legislation.
The headscarf ban in Turkey was introduced in 1997 when the powerful military overthrew a coalition government led by a conservative party. The ban affected university students as well as women working in the public sector. Women with headscarves are currently not allowed to enter military facilities, including hospitals and recreational areas under the control of the Turkish military. While many of Turkey’s universities late last year announced their decision to set the use of the headscarf free both on their campuses and in classrooms, there were some that argued that entering university campuses with a headscarf was against the directives of YÖK.
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-241791-university-rector-orders-headscarf-ban-on-campus.html
In the written notice, effective April 19, Duran openly tells students and staff to “Ignore the debates and different practices in Turkey and implement the ban,” listing his specific instructions. The notice reads that “a person not complying with the ban will necessitate the commencement of a disciplinary investigation as per the Higher Education Board [YÖK].”
The rector separately lists the places and events where students wearing a headscarf are not allowed to go. These include “Faculties, institutes, graduate schools, conservatoriums and all teaching institutions, laboratories, clinics, polyclinics, surgery rooms, libraries, research and training centers, bureaus, dormitories, dining hall, canteen, cafeteria, corridors and meetings or ceremonies of all departments connected to the chancery.” The statement outlines the “necessity for all students, female or male, to be bare-headed, wear modern clothing and be of modern appearance in all the places mentioned.” Expressing dissatisfaction about “there not being any specific legislation regarding the headscarf” when there was great need for it, Duran justified the university ban in terms of Article 4 of the university’s General Appearance, Clothing and Behavior Regulations. The notice also includes threat of YÖK action in the event of an individual’s contravention of the ban, despite the lack of legislation.
The headscarf ban in Turkey was introduced in 1997 when the powerful military overthrew a coalition government led by a conservative party. The ban affected university students as well as women working in the public sector. Women with headscarves are currently not allowed to enter military facilities, including hospitals and recreational areas under the control of the Turkish military. While many of Turkey’s universities late last year announced their decision to set the use of the headscarf free both on their campuses and in classrooms, there were some that argued that entering university campuses with a headscarf was against the directives of YÖK.
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-241791-university-rector-orders-headscarf-ban-on-campus.html
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