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| Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia |
| Kazakh president opposes Islamic Hijab |
| 2011-03-31 |
| [Iran Press TV] Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, ...has served as the President of Kazakhstan since the Fall of the Soviet Union and the nation's independence in 1991. Contrary to commonly held belief, there is a difference between Kazakhs and Cossacks: Kazakhs have mustaches. Or maybe it's the other way round... whose country is to take the rotating chair of the Organization of the Islamic Conference OIC is an international organisation with a permanent delegation to the UN, with 57 member states. It represents all countries with substantial Moslem populations (as opposed to the Arab League, which excludes members not of the Master Race) except those member countries block from joining. These include India, which has more Mohammedans than does Pakistain, whose membership is vetoed by Pakistain... (OIC), has strongly denounced the wearing of the Islamic Hijab (headdress) in Kazakhstani schools. Nazarbayev described the wearing of Hijab in schools as inappropriate on Tuesday, adding, "I have always been against headscarves and Hijabs. Our women have never worn them and have never hid their faces." "We respect all Mohammedan representatives, but we have our own path. Young people are starting to wear Hijabs and headscarves at schools and universities. I have always been against it," he said. He made the remarks ahead of the upcoming presidential election. Long-serving Nazarbayev will stand for re-election on April 3. There are three candidates standing against him. According to observers, the remarks by Nazarbayev reflects the growing popularity of the Islamic headdress among female Mohammedans in Kazakhstan, whose population is over 70 percent Mohammedan, inciting some opposition to his leadership of the country. The country's Education and Science Ministry said last week that wearing Hijab at schools is not allowed by national laws. This is despite the proclaimed law of freedom of religion in the country. Students must follow the rules of their educational institution, including those regarding the uniform, the ministry said. |
| Posted by:Fred |