Thousands Stage Rally in Ethiopia Over Hijab Ban in Schools

Thousands of Muslims gathered in Mekelle, Ethiopia, on Tuesday to protest the refusal of schools in Axum to allow hijab-wearing students to attend classes, ABNA reported yesterday. The rally, organized by the Tigray Islamic Affairs Supreme Council under the slogan “She will learn while wearing her hijab,” called for compliance with court rulings and respect for cultural practices.

Sheikh Adam Abdulkadir, President of the Council, emphasized the importance of education access for Muslim girls, stating, “Despite clear rulings from the court, our daughters are still being denied access to education.” The protests were sparked by the exclusion of Muslim Grade 12 students from national exam registration due to their hijabs.

Lawyer Mustefa Abdu argued against the ban, asserting, “There is no legal justification for forcing them to choose between their religious beliefs and their education.” Kamil Abdu Oumer, a lecturer at Wollo University, highlighted that the ban violates Article 27 of the Ethiopian constitution, which mandates that laws be published to be enforceable.

While many support the right to wear hijabs, some school officials defend the ban, claiming schools should remain neutral spaces. This reflects a broader pattern of anti-Islam attempts under the pretext of secularism to remove Islamic identification in the world.