Sunday, October 23, 2005

Tajikstan has banned headscarves in public schools...

Restricting freedom of religious expression is never a good idea and let's ponder upon possible reactions and consequences. First of all, the measure risks alienating devout muslims and adding to fragmentation of society. Certainly, we didn't see adverse consequences of France's ban on religious symbols in the education sphere, (the riots don't seem to be linked to this) but Tajikstan is not France. Bordering Afghanistan and recently troubled Uzbeikstan, coupled with Tajikstans indigenous delicate balancing of Islam and secularism illustrates the country's fragile predicament. The civil war is far from forgotten and many of the fighters are still unemployed.

No comments: