Turkey lifts ban on head scarfs
- 11 years ago
A decades-old restriction on women wearing headscarves in state institutions is lifted in Turkey.
On Tuesday Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan spoke in Parliament.
(SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH PRIME MINISTER, TAYYIP ERDOGAN, SAYING:
"With the amendment to the regulations on employees' appearances, a painful ban that has caused a lot of suffering to the parents of young people is lifted. A dark era has come to an end. But I want to reiterate that we are not offering privileges to anybody. On the contrary, we are finally recognizing the right to believe for those who have been deprived of this for years."
The debate around the head scarf goes to the heart of tensions between religious and secular elites, a major fault line in Turkish public life.
One teacher is thrilled with the change.
(SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TEACHER AT VOCATIONAL SCHOOL, SAFIYE OZDEMIR, SAYING:
"We are very happy and we are very proud of the regulation. This amendment came a little
On Tuesday Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan spoke in Parliament.
(SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH PRIME MINISTER, TAYYIP ERDOGAN, SAYING:
"With the amendment to the regulations on employees' appearances, a painful ban that has caused a lot of suffering to the parents of young people is lifted. A dark era has come to an end. But I want to reiterate that we are not offering privileges to anybody. On the contrary, we are finally recognizing the right to believe for those who have been deprived of this for years."
The debate around the head scarf goes to the heart of tensions between religious and secular elites, a major fault line in Turkish public life.
One teacher is thrilled with the change.
(SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TEACHER AT VOCATIONAL SCHOOL, SAFIYE OZDEMIR, SAYING:
"We are very happy and we are very proud of the regulation. This amendment came a little