Thousands protest in Ethiopia against a hijab ban in schools

ADDIS ABABA - Muslims gathered in Mekelle, the regional administrative capital of Tigray, protesting against the ban imposed on school girls on wearing hijabs, despite the court order restraining authorities from mistreatment.

Schools in Axum banned the wearing of hijab by girls, despite the court order and directive by the Tigray Regional Education Bureau which regulates learning in institutions within the northern state of Ethiopia.

The rally, organized by, Tigray Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, took place at Romanat Square in Mekelle under the banner: “She will learn while wearing her hijab.”

“Our daughters are still being denied access to education despite clear rulings from the court and directives from the education bureau,” said Sheikh Adam Abdulkadir, President of the Tigray Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, during the protest, adding, “This is deeply concerning in a region where Islam has been part of the culture for centuries," Addis Standard reports.

Sheikh Adam Abdulkadir said the protests were guided by numerous inquiries and discussions, adding that until now, “the issue remains unresolved, and our daughters are still being denied access to education.”

“A year ago, Muslim students tragically lost their lives with their hijabs along with their people, and now they must learn their education wearing their hijabs,” he said.

Demonstrators voiced their concerns peacefully, he said, adding that the protests were calm and respectful. Muslim women and girls are required to wear hijab as enshrined in their religious doctrines.

The protest follows months of unresolved grievances, including the exclusion of Muslim grade 12 students in Axum from registering for national exams earlier this month due to wearing hijabs.

The Axum City District Court had previously suspended the directive prohibiting Muslim students from wearing hijabs in schools and summoned five schools to respond to the allegations, the Addis Standard reports.

Mustafa Abdu, a lawyer participating in the rally, told Addis Standard that the primary aim of the protest was to ensure Muslim students can return to school while wearing their hijabs.

“There is no legal justification for forcing them to choose between their religious beliefs and their education,” he said, adding that “they have the right to attend school while wearing their hijabs, and that’s why we are demonstrating.”

GAROWE ONLINE