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Indonesian Islamic University Bans Burqa

Jakarta(March 07, 2018):  An Indonesian state Islamic university has banned female students from wearing full-face veils citing fears over the spread of radical ideology on the campus.

Indonesia is home to the world´s largest Muslim population, the majority of whom practice a moderate form of Islam.

But the country has seen a recent rise in more conservative interpretations of the religion, which many see as a threat to its long-standing reputation for religious tolerance and diversity.

The State Islamic University (UIN) in Yogyakarta city, on Java island, said it had 41 students using the full veil, or burqa, who would be offered counseling sessions and ultimately be asked to take off the veil if they wanted to graduate.

A women´s rights activist decried what she described as a limitation on the freedom of women to wear what they want.

“Using full-face veils is a choice and we cannot interfere with their choice and their freedom,” said the activist, Lathiefah Widuri Retyaningtyas.

University rector Yudian Wahyudi said radicalization, as exemplified by the burqas, undermined learning.

“Female students wearing the burqa, and radical groups, they are disturbing the teaching process,” Wahyudhi said.

“We are putting moderate Islam forward,” he said, adding that the policy was a “preventive action to save the students”.

Students would be allowed to continue using regular headscarves that do not cover the face, he said.

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