IRFN (Sep 18-26): Turkish Officials Call for an End to Headscarf Ban

Sep 27, 2007

International Religious Freedom Archive
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1. Bangladesh: Cartoonist Arrested for "Hurting Religious Sentiments" (Sep. 18)
2. Turkish Officials Call for an End to Headscarf Ban (Sep. 19)
3. Uzbekistan: Details of Ramadan Restrictions Emerge (Sep. 20)
4. Kosovo: Three Girls Suspended for Wearing Islamic Headscarf (Sep. 21)
5. Russia: Schools in Western Region Enforce Orthodox-Only Religion Classes (Sep. 25)
6. Armenia: 73 Jehovah's Witnesses in Prison; 9 Awaiting Trial (Sep. 26)

Features:
Michael Nazir-Ali explains the dangers facing British Muslims who convert away from Islam, from ADN Kronos International, while The Wall Street Journal outlines the additional problems that Dalits, 'Untouchables', in India face when they convert to Christianity.

1. Bangladesh: Cartoonist Arrested for "Hurting Religious Sentiments"
September 18
Dhaka, Bangladesh
The Associated Press reports that Arifur Rahman, a cartoonist whose works appear in a satirical supplement of the daily Prothom Alo, has been arrested on the order of Bangladesh's home ministry, after his work was deemed to "hurt the religious sentiments" of Muslims. Though Bangladesh, a Muslim majority nation, lacks a well-defined blasphemy law, it does allow for the prosecution of those who have hurt religious or public sentiments. On September 19, Rahman was sentenced to at least thirty days in jail. The International Press Institute describes the offending cartoon, and the reaction of local imams and the editors of Prothom Alo alike.

2. Turkish Officials Call for an End to Headscarf Ban
September 19
Ankara, Turkey
Agence France-Presse reports that both Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Prime Minister of Turkey, and President Abdullah Gul, have recently called for an end to the ban on Islamic headscarves in Turkish universities. Both men, whose female relatives choose to wear the headscarf, have said this is a necessary step to ensure that women are not forced to forego education in the country should they choose to wear a headscarf. Many have criticized the move, with the Turkish Higher Education Board stating that the headscarf ban is a legal situation that is impossible to change.

3. Uzbekistan: Details of Ramadan Restrictions Emerge
September 20
Uzbekistan
Forum 18 reports some of the details of the Uzbek government's restrictions on Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan. Imams are no longer allowed to preach during night prayers, which must end by 10 pm. Additionally, children are forbidden from being present at the prayers, and local imams must report each night to regional authorities. Police presence has been increased at mosques across the country, especially in eastern Uzbekistan, where restrictions are said to be much tighter.

4. Kosovo: Three Girls Suspended for Wearing Islamic Headscarf
September 21
Srbica, Serbia
The Associated Press reports that three high school students from the town of Srbica, Kosovo, were suspended this week for wearing their headscarves to school. Though the province is largely populated by secular Muslims, members of the government have been wary of allowing the area to develop a strong Muslim identity, out of fear that it would create an unfavorable image and damage their chances of splitting completely from Serbia, which is primarily Orthodox Christian.

5. Russia: Schools in Western Region Enforce Orthodox-Only Religion Classes
September 25
Belgorod, Russia
Forum 18 reports that officials in the region of Belgorod, western Russia, have once again refused to accommodate the various faiths of the children in state schools, teaching a class on "Orthodox Culture" for the second year in a row. The class is compulsory for all students; those of different faiths who object may not be exempt from the class, and if they choose not to attend, receive a failing mark. The books for the course classify non-Orthodox religions as sects, and declare that only Orthodox Christians are true Christians.

6. Armenia: 73 Jehovah's Witnesses in Prison; 9 Awaiting Trial
September 26
Armenia
Forum 18 reports that at least 82 Jehovah's Witnesses are currently serving prison terms or awaiting trial in Armenia for refusing to serve in the military, in accordance with their religious beliefs. Of the 73 who have already been sentenced, 72 were prosecuted under Article 327, which punishes evasion. Earlier this year, the Council of Europe called on Armenia to introduce alternative civilian service, though observers of the case say that the Armenian government is reluctant to change the current system.