Albania Muslims Attack 'Discriminatory' Veil Ban

Union of imams is up in arms over an article in the new education bill banning the use of religious symbols in state schools.

Besar Likmeta

Tirana

Albania's union of imams, LHSH, is calling for the new education bill to be amended, arguing that the veil is not a mere symbol for Muslims but is central to their religious identity.

“Every law that is human must respect the standards of the community, Justinian Topulli, a theologian from the LHSH, told Balkan Insight.

The new education bill should be "amended and adapted in order not to infringe on the expression of religious faith in public spaces,” he added.

“The veil to us is more than a symbol, it’s a religious obligation and not a matter of choice,” he continued.

Ministry of education officials recently clarified that wearing the hijab, or Muslim veil, will not be allowed in state schools under the new bill, which is still under consultation with interest groups until the end of January.

The Albanian Islamic Community, KSHM, the official organization representing Muslims in Albania, had earlier backed the bill, arguing that following consultations with the ministry, their understanding was that the hijab would not be banned.

Following an interview in mid-December with the Minister of Education, Myqerem Tafaj, in which he explained that the ban on religious symbols included the veil, the KSHM pulled its statement of support from its website.

Several human rights organization have also contested the proposed ban on the veil in schools and are currently drafting amendments in the hope that they will introduced before a vote in parliament.