The Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan (SAMK) has published its position regarding schoolgirls wearing headscarves to school. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
According to the muftiate, according to Islamic Sharia, wearing a headscarf is obligatory (fard) for a Muslim girl who has reached puberty. SAMK has previously expressed this position openly, sending proposals to relevant authorities to adopt an optimal solution that would allow schoolgirls to fulfill their religious duties without hindering their education.
Specifically, it was proposed to allow headscarves that match the general style and color of the school uniform. The administration emphasized that a student's wearing a headscarf should not be an obstacle to her education.
Disapproval of license revocation
SAMK does not support strict measures such as revoking licenses of private schools that allow headscarves. According to the administration, educational organizations' understanding of Muslim girls' religious beliefs should not become a reason for revoking a school's license.
Reminder about secularism
The administration reminded that secularism does not mean denying religion or restricting citizens' religious beliefs, and warned that banning headscarves and resolving this issue through administrative measures could exacerbate misunderstandings in society.
Recommendation to the ministry
SAMK recommends that the Ministry of Education and other authorized state bodies consider specific legal mechanisms that would allow Muslim girls who have reached puberty to wear headscarves while complying with school uniform requirements.
Recall that recently, Minister of Education Zhuldyz Suleimenova warned that if cases of wearing hijabs are recorded in the new school year, measures such as revoking a school's license will be taken.