Repeal of Ban on Islamic Head Scarves at Universities

Lawmakers voted 411 to 103 Saturday on the amendment package, which says all Turkish citizens will be treated equally by the state and its institutions.

As the legislators voted, tens of thousand of Turks demonstrated against the amendments in the capital, Ankara. They waved Turkey's national flag and chanted "Turkey is secular and will remain secular."

Parliament is to hold a final vote later Saturday on the amendments before they are passed on to Turkey's President Abdullah Gul, who supports the changes. He says universities should be open to all beliefs and views.

The amendments, which are part of a reform package, were backed by Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party and the right-wing Nationalist Movement Party. The changes are bitterly opposed by opposition lawmakers and secularists who believe they will threaten Turkey's cherished secular traditions.

The text of the amendments refers to Muslim women who could not attend classes while wearing head scarves.

The changes will allow female students to wear head scarves as long as they are tied under the chin, leaving the face more exposed. The changes will not apply to university teachers or civil service workers. Burqas, which cover the whole body, will remain prohibited.

Turkey banned head scarves in public places, schools and universities in the 1980s.

Source: By VOA News