Bangladesh Army Allows Women Soldiers to Wear Hijab

The Bangladesh Army has officially permitted female soldiers to wear hijab with their uniforms, according to local media reports, Anadolu Agency reported yesterday.

A decision made on September 3 allows willing female personnel to adopt the Islamic face veil as part of their attire. The Adjutant General’s office is currently formulating a policy on hijab usage and has requested interested soldiers to submit photographs of themselves in the proposed hijab by September 26 for review.

Retired army officials noted that while there was no formal ban on hijab, it was not commonly encouraged due to the nature of military duties. Historically, women have been allowed to wear hijab in the army since its early days, particularly in medical roles. Women officially joined the army in officer ranks in 2000 and soldier ranks in 2013, with the military emphasizing inclusivity in uniform policies. The army is now seeking detailed descriptions of hijab samples compatible with various uniforms.