Indonesia: President Sued Over Alleged Hijab-Removing Incident

Outgoing Indonesian President Joko Widodo, known as Jokowi, faces a lawsuit over claims that students were forced to remove their hijabs during Independence Day ceremonies, TRTWorld reported yesterday.

The case, set for hearing on August 29 in Solo, Central Java, stems from reports that dozens of students in the National Flag Hoisting Troop (Paskibraka) were instructed to remove their Muslim face veils ahead of the celebrations.

The Paskibraka, overseen by the Pancasila Ideology Development Agency (BPIP), initially prohibited hijabs during the flag-raising event on August 13 but later allowed some students to wear them during subsequent ceremonies. Gousta Feriza, chairman of the National Paskibraka Council, criticized the ban, questioning its impact on diversity.

Reports indicate that 18 students removed their hijabs at an event with Jokowi, and one hijab-wearing student was replaced in the flag squad. However, officials have denied that any students were compelled to remove their hijabs. Jokowi will step down in October as President-elect Prabowo Subianto takes office.