Muslim Women Assert Headscarf Rights

The Kyrgyz government should give serious consideration to demands for women to be allowed to wear Islamic dress for passport photos, say NBCentralAsia experts, who argue that the issue reflects the growing role played by faith.



Mutakalim, a Muslim women’s organisation in Kyrgyzstan, last week asked the recently-formed government to make it legal for women to be photographed wearing “hijab” – Islamic dress for women – for their passport pictures. In practice, that means a headscarf since the photo is a headshot.



A similar plea was made in October last year, but the government of the day refused, saying it would not be in the interests of national security.



Analysts point out that both Russia and Kazakstan allow women to appear in ID and passport photos with their heads, but not faces, covered.



Kadyr Malikov, an NBCentralAsia expert on religious affairs says there would be “no consequences”.



“It’s standard international practice. It isn’t even about the rights of a minority - it is a right that belongs to the majority. I think the authorities should not create obstacles over such minor issues,” he said.



There is no ban on the hijab in Kyrgyzstan, except for the purposes of official photos.



Ikbol Mirsaidov, a leading expert at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, which comes under the Kyrgz president’s office, thinks the government cannot really refuse Mutakalim’s request.



“The current legislation concerning freedom of expression and religious organisations contains no prohibition on women wearing hijab in public places, being photographed in religious costume, or performing religious rites,” said Mirsaidov.



Igor Rotar, an expert on religious matters, said the issue was “too minor to merit discussion”, and insisted Muslim women should have the option of wearing hijab in official pictures.



Mutakalim’s demands highlight the increasing revival of faith in Kyrgyzstan, a trend which Malikov believes should be nurtured. Just as Orthodox Christianity gained strength in Russia when the Soviet Union collapsed, Islam is growing stronger in Kyrgyzstan, he said.



Amid the rising numbers of people who follow a religion in Kyrgyzstan, Mirsaidov sees increasing Islamic practice affecting women in particular. “Prior to 1990, there were no religious organisations for women – now there are eight. Female Muslim activists are engaged in teaching people about Islam rather than in politics,” he said.



Atyrkul Alisheva, director of the Institute for Regional Studies, notes that in parallel with the rise in religious practice, people in general are increasingly aware that they can use the law to seek a resolution to their problems.



“If women want their pictures taken wearing headscarves, they shouldn’t be denied it. The issue needs to be discussed and resolved,” she said.



(News Briefing Central Asia draws comment and analysis from a broad range of political observers across the region.)