KUALA LUMPUR – Schools in Indonesia have been banned from forcing students and faculty members to wear the headscarf or any form of religious clothing.
The government said wearing such garb is the choice of the individual, and not a rule to be applied by institutions.
The Singapore Straits Times reported that a joint ministerial decree was issued yesterday following uproar over the requirement by a vocational school in Padang, West Sumatra province, for all female students, including non-Muslims, to wear a headscarf, also known as hijab.
“This is an individual’s right. Teachers, students – with parents’ consent – have the right to choose. It is not the school’s decision,” Education and Culture Minister Nadiem Makarim was quoted as telling a virtual media briefing.
“Schools should promote Indonesia’s religious pluralism ideology, and nurture the nation’s unity and religious harmony.”
The decree was signed by Domestic Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian and Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.
Nadiem said existing by-laws issued by regional administrations or schools that are opposed to the decree must be revoked within 30 days, at the risk of budget cuts and other sanctions being imposed.
Last month, a non-Muslim student at a vocational school in Padang administered by the provincial government was punished after she refused to adhere to the rule requiring all female students to wear a headscarf during online classes.
Her mother later posted a video on Facebook of the student going to the school to file a protest. The clip has been widely shared and reported on by Indonesian media.
The vitriol it generated forced the school to apologise and backtrack on the punishment.
The controversial rule is based on a by-law issued in 2005 in West Sumatra, requiring all female students, regardless of their religion, to wear a headscarf when attending school.
Yaqut reportedly acknowledged that the incident in Padang is just the tip of the iceberg, as data from his ministry showed that many schools have similar rules in place.
“We are sure religions and all their respective teachings indeed promote peace, and (encourage worshippers) to resolve differences, as well as respect one another. Religions do not promote conflict, neither do they justify acting unfairly against those who are different.
“We urge people to practise their religion in a substantive manner. Forcing others of a different faith to wear certain religious attributes amounts to practising a religion in a symbolic manner.”
Tito said Indonesia is a nation made up of people of diverse backgrounds, races, religions and dialects, which is an “extraordinary asset that is sometimes taken for granted”. – The Vibes, February 4, 2021
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