Tigray Supreme Court Upholds Muslim Students’ Right to Wear Hijab in Axum Schools

Tigray Supreme Court Upholds Muslim Students’ Right to Wear Hijab in Axum Schools
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The Supreme Court in Ethiopia’s Tigray region has ruled in favor of allowing Muslim schoolgirls in the city of Axum to wear the hijab, marking a significant decision in a months-long dispute over religious freedom in education. Since November, around 250 Muslim students had been barred from attending school and taking national exams due to their choice to wear the hijab. The controversy sparked widespread protests, particularly in Mekelle, the regional capital, following arrests and restrictions imposed on several students.

While a lower court in Axum initially suspended the ban, the case was closed after the presiding judge was reassigned. However, sustained public pressure prompted the Supreme Court to reexamine the matter. In its final ruling, the court declared that no constitutional grounds justify banning religious attire in schools, reaffirming students’ rights to education and freedom of belief.

The Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council welcomed the verdict as a constitutional victory, emphasizing the psychological and academic harm suffered by the affected students. Though the federal government attributed the issue to local mismanagement, the case has ignited broader debate about religious freedom in Ethiopia—especially in Axum, a city of historical significance to early Islam.