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RFE/RL
Kazakhstan Teacher Not Allowed
To Wear Hijab At School
news
10-12-2009
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Aida Dekebaeva wants to
wear the hijab while teaching. |
A high school geography teacher in the southeastern Kazakh
city of Taldy-Qorghan has turned to the Prosecutor's Office
for permission to wear an Islamic head scarf (hijab) while
teaching, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports.
Aida Dekebaeva says school principal Gulnara Muratbekova
"recommended" that she not wear the hijab while teaching.
Dekebaeva said the school recently adopted a dress code that
bans head scarves for both students and teachers.
Muratbekova told RFE/RL that she warned Dekebaeva about the
way she dresses and told her to make sure it is in
accordance with Education Department guidelines.
Meanwhile, local human rights activist Aliya Kasymkhankyzy
told RFE/RL that the constitution protects the right of
every citizen to worship any religion and school principals
should respect Dekebaeva's right to dress as she wishes.
Dekebaeva says she is ready for a long-term fight but is
awaiting the Prosecutor's Office to respond to her letter.
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