Tajikistan's parliament bans hijab and burqa

The parliament of the Central Asian Muslim country Tajikistan has passed a law banning Islamic dress like hijab and burqa. The country's government now has to implement this law.

Majlisi Milli, the upper house of Tajikistan's parliament, approved the bill on June 19, which provides for a ban on foreign clothes for children during Eid-ul-Fitr and Ild-ul-Adha. Majlisi Namoyandagon, the lower house of parliament, passed the bill on May 8 and recommended a ban on foreign clothes like burqa and hijab. During the debate on the bill, an MP said that the veil covering women's faces is not part of Tajik tradition. Such foreign clothes are banned in his country. There is also a provision to impose a stiff fine on people for violating the new rules. According to the provision of the bill, a fine of up to 7,920 somoni can be imposed on the violator of the law. While companies can be fined 39500 somoni. It has been said that more fines will be imposed on officials and religious leaders.