The command of the armed opposition in Syria has announced a ban on forcing women to wear the hijab, and it stressed the women’s right to choose their clothes, the Al-Watan newspaper reports.
“The Supreme Command categorically prohibits forcing women to wear a certain style of clothing, interfering with their right to choose, or making demands on their appearance,” stated the command of the Syrian armed opposition.
The Syrian government is somewhat secular-minded compared to some other Middle Eastern countries that mandate head covering and let Syrian women choose for themselves whether to wear hijab or not. There is no mandate for Hijab.
The Syrian government views the face veil (niqab) as a sign of radical Islam and problematic.
In 2010, Syria rejected extreme religious dress in the classroom, the first Arab government to weigh in so heavily on the face veil. Islamic institutes were also shuttered in Syria.
Most Syrians welcomed the government’s decree, but a few who didn’t welcome it kept relatively quiet.
Bassam Kadi, the director of the Syrian Women Observatory, stated, “The important thing: niqab is a huge kind of violence against women. The woman underneath the niqab is a victim.”
Syria’s armed opposition leadership has issued a decree prohibiting the forced wearing of hijabs, state-owned Al Watan reported on December 9.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is a Sunni Islamist militant group primarily active in Syria, particularly in the rebel-held Idlib Province. Formed in 2017, it is an alliance dominated by Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, which was previously affiliated with al-Qaeda. The group took several key cities on December 7 and 8, ultimately leading to the downfall of the Assad regime after 53 years.
The directive explicitly forbids compelling women to wear specific clothing or interfering with their choice of attire, according to the newspaper, which published details of the announcement.
“The High Command categorically prohibits forcing women to wear particular clothing or interfering with their right to choose their attire or making claims regarding their appearance,” the newspaper quoted the opposition leadership.
The hijab, a traditional head covering in Islamic culture that conceals the hair, ears, and neck, has been a subject of debate in many Middle Eastern nations regarding personal freedom and religious practice.
In a parallel move suggesting broader social reforms, the opposition command also issued strict prohibitions against the persecution of media workers, including employees of Syrian television, broadcasting agencies and social media platform owners.
“Any threats against these individuals are prohibited,” Al-Watan reported, citing the opposition’s statement.
The opposition leadership has established penalties for violations of these directives, with perpetrators facing up to one year in prison.
These measures come as the opposition works to establish its authority and define its governance approach in post-Assad Syria, particularly regarding personal freedoms and press rights.
In a later message, the opposition forces announced, “We are here now to build a new Syria that accommodates everyone without exception.”
© 2024, GDC. © GDC and www.globaldefensecorp.com. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to www.globaldefensecorp.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
