Thai Muslim Community Decries Hijab Ban
"You cannot force Muslim students not to wear the hijab, because the doctrine of Islam commands all Muslim women who are above 7-years-old to wear the hijab," a leading Muslim representative said.
"There is no exception. In schools, women must wear hijabs. If they do not do so, it's a sin," Waedueramae Mamingi, director of the Central Islamic Committee of Thailand (CICOT) in Pattani, told Khaosod.
Waedueramae, who sees Muslim rights have been violated, has been discussing the hijab ban with state officials in Phang Ngao province. He added that he hoped other school directors will understand that such a ban is unacceptable and violates both state regulations and the Islamic faith.
Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) secretary general, Kamol Rodklai, told reporters: "I believe that the school director was new in her post. She did not have understanding about identity, so she imposed the ban and caused protests in the area."
Kamol said the school director has been transferred and the ban, which drew protests from local Muslim residents and activists, has been repealed.
He added that state regulations allow Muslim students to wear hijab in public schools, as long as the cloth is a plain color, not longer than 120 cm in length, and pinned together under the chin of the wearer.
Earlier, Wisutsri Yungpongsapat, who held the post of director of Baan Nai Yong School, was quoted as saying that the traditional Islamic head covering was against state regulations for student uniforms.
Thai Muslims, who make up five percent of the predominantly Buddhist kingdom's population, have long complained of discrimination in jobs and education under the heavy-handed practices by the military.
