Hijab bans in Muslim-majority nations trigger global dialogue on secularism and religious freedom

A growing number of Muslim-majority countries are imposing restrictions on the wearing of the hijab and igniting heated debates on the balance between secularism, national identity, and religious freedom.

A recent infographic published by The World in Maps provides a visual overview of nations enforcing various levels of hijab bans, highlighting the nuanced and often controversial approaches to religious expression across Central Asia.

The map outlines three categories of restrictions:

Full Public Ban: Tajikistan stands out for its comprehensive ban on the hijab in public spaces. The government has been enforcing strict dress codes in the name of preserving secularism and curbing foreign religious influence.

Bans in Public Institutions: Countries like Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan prohibit the wearing of hijabs in government offices and educational institutions. These measures are often positioned as efforts to uphold a secular public sphere inherited from Soviet-era governance models.

Partial Restrictions: Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan implement more nuanced restrictions, where the hijab is discouraged or limited in certain formal or public contexts but not outright banned.

Historical and Political Context

Most of the countries depicted were part of the former Soviet Union, where state atheism suppressed religious practices for decades. Even after gaining independence in the early 1990s, many of these governments retained strict secular governance structures.

The hijab, often associated with Islamic revivalism, has been viewed by these states as a political symbol rather than a personal or religious choice.

Authorities have justified these bans under the banner of national security, modernity, and gender equality. However, critics argue they violate individual rights to freedom of religion and expression.

Public Reaction and Controversy

In many of these countries, the bans have sparked protests, particularly among younger, devout Muslim women who see the hijab as an integral part of their identity.

International human rights organisations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have condemned the measures as discriminatory and a violation of international covenants on religious freedom.

Conversely, government supporters often defend the bans as necessary measures to curb extremism and maintain secularism in multicultural, multi-ethnic societies.

Global Implications

The debate around the hijab extends far beyond Central Asia. Western nations such as France and Belgium have also enacted public bans on religious clothing, triggering global discussions on Islamophobia, integration, and multiculturalism. However, restrictions in Muslim-majority countries raise particularly complex questions about the nature of state-religion relations within Islamic contexts.