content tagged with headscarf debate

AKP delegation tours opposition parties for 'headscarf' proposal

AKP delegation tours opposition parties for 'headscarf' proposal

The ruling party brought up the constitutional amendment proposal in response to the main opposition CHP's headscarf move. The proposal reportedly includes anti-LGBTI+ provisions "to protect the family."

3 November 2022

“Limiting Freedoms to One Field is Not Ethical”

“Limiting Freedoms to One Field is Not Ethical”

Abdullah Karahan from Eğitim-Sen Union criticized the recent allowing of students to wear headscarves in schools, reminding the compulsory religious classes and closure of Kurdish-language teaching schools.

23 September 2014 Yüce Yöney

‘Gorilla Man’ and ‘Veiled Woman’

‘Gorilla Man’ and ‘Veiled Woman’

We do not even notice the self-expression of turban-wearing young women, or the messages they give out, as we often just focus on the fact that they cover their heads.

2 April 2011 Barış Mumyakmaz

Constitutional Court Revokes The Headscarf Amendment

Constitutional Court Revokes The Headscarf Amendment

The Constitutional Court revokes the headscarf amendment by the ruling party with a vote of nine to two. While the opposition is pleased with the decision, the ruling party says that they need to see the justification of the decision.

Women Oppose Categorisation into Covered/Uncovered

Under the slogan “We look out for each other,” over 1,000 women have signed a statement condemning the categorisation of women into those who are covered and those wo are not.

19 March 2008 Emine Özcan

Headscarves Not “In the Clear” Yet

Headscarves Not “In the Clear” Yet

The opposition CHP has appealed to the Constitutional Court to overrule the headscarf amendments, and university rectors have called for the resignation of Higher Education Council President Özcan.

28 February 2008 Gökçe Gündüç,Gökçe Gündüç

President Gül Ratifies Headscarves at University

On 22 February, President Gül ratified the constitutional amendments of Articles 10 and 42, which allow women with headscarves to attend university.

25 February 2008 Gökçe Gündüç

Women Can Not Rely on The Army for Their Gains

Women Can Not Rely on The Army for Their Gains

Those who believe that the issue of headscarves at university is a “legal issue” are totally mistaken. We are faced with a historical question: Does the new block of Islamist AKP and ultranationalist MHP with the passive consent of the army represent a moment of freedom?

18 February 2008 Ertuğrul Kürkçü

Scarf Freedom Raises Reform Impatience

Cynics have remarked how quickly the ruling AKP acted on lifting the headscarf ban for university students while ignoring other, more pressing issues of rights and freedoms.

13 February 2008 Fatma Demırellı,Selçuk Gültaşlı

Academics: We Need Freedom as Well as Laicism

Around 400 academics have signed a statement which calls for democratisation not only around clothing rules at university.

13 February 2008 Tolga Korkut

Constitutional Change for Headscarf at University Passed in Parliament

The second vote on constitutional amendment on Saturday was passed with 411 votes. The opposition CHP is applying to the Constitutional Court.

11 February 2008 Tolga Korkut

Government Supports Headscarf but Ignores Women’s Rights

Government Supports Headscarf but Ignores Women’s Rights

Although the AKP proposal to allow women wearing headscarves access to higher education has been couched in language about “freedoms” and “rights”, the government is actually not promoting women’s rights at all.

7 February 2008 Erhan Üstündağ

Parliament Passes Headscarf Changes in First Round

Parliament Passes Headscarf Changes in First Round

Amendments to Articles 10 and 42 of the constitution were passed in the first round of debates and votes yesterday. The second round of votes is on Saturday.

7 February 2008 Gökçe Gündüç

Over 2,000 Academics Support Headscarf at University

An Internet campaign of academics supporting the freedom to wear a headscarf at university has been signed by 2,252 university lecturers so far.

5 February 2008 Gökçe Gündüç

Academic: Interact with the Women Underneath the Headscarf!

I am not scared of girls with headscarves. The bigots and sect members should be scared of their girls going to free universities.

5 February 2008 Füsun Özbilgen

Anti-Headscarf Rally at Atatürk’s Mausoleum

In reaction to the prospect of the headscarf being allowed at university, tens of thousands of people gathered at Atatürk’s mausoleum in Ankara on Saturday.

4 February 2008 Tolga Korkut

Question of the Day: How to Tie the Headscarf?

The proposed constitutional amendment which would allow university students to wear headscarves has brought its own dilemmas.

31 January 2008 Gökçe Gündüç

General Shrugs Off Questions on Headscarf and “Egenekon” Gang

During a meeting with Macedonia’s Minister of Defense, Chief of General Staff Büyükanit also briefly answered questions about the current headscarf debate and the ultra-nationalist Ergenekon gang.

31 January 2008 Erhan Üstündağ

Headscarf Debate Diverts Attention from Kurdish Issue and Economic Crisis

Headscarf Debate Diverts Attention from Kurdish Issue and Economic Crisis

Prof. Dr. Narli predicts that the proposed constitutional change will reduce social tension. Yet the current debate is also diverting attention from the Kurdish issue and the global economic crisis, she believes.

31 January 2008 Erhan Üstündağ

Heated Debate As Constitution Amended To Free Headscarves in The Universities

Heated Debate As Constitution Amended To Free Headscarves in The Universities

The ruling AKP's move to free headscarves in the universities, leads to strong reactions from the secularists. Some fear from the end of secular state, others argue limited freedom is hypocritical.

30 January 2008 Gökçe Gündüç

Constitutional Schemes on Dressing Alarm Women

Women NGOs protest against government schemes for new legislation on dressing to impose restrictions justified with "general morality".

25 January 2008 Erhan Üstündağ

Headscarf Problem Caused by State Monopoly on Religion

Prof. Dr. Sancar pointed out that the religious authorities in Turkey were civil servants employed by the state.

17 January 2008 Gökçe Gündüç

For Erdogan, Freedom Means Headscarf Rather Than 301

Erdogan spoke at the Forum of the Alliance of Civilisations in Madrid, discussing the headscarf and Article 301 in a press meeting.

16 January 2008 A. Nilüfer Zengin Kürkçü

Domestic Media Obsessed with Malaysia

Domestic Media Obsessed with Malaysia

The domestic debate about whether there is a threat of Islamicisation in Turkey has been stoked by American comparisons of Turkey and Malaysia.

26 September 2007 Tolga Korkut

Gül: Should Headscarved Women Stay at Home?

President Gül has rejected comparisons of Turkey with Iran and Malaysia.

21 September 2007 A. Nilüfer Zengin Kürkçü,A. Nilüfer Zengin Kürkçü

Heinrich Böll Foundation Publication

Turkish Feminists Discuss Effects of Religion on Women

The Heinrich Böll Foundation publication "Gender Discussions in Turkey" offers a timely contribution to the discussion on feminism and religion.

21 September 2007 Gökçe Gündüç

Erdogan: "No Hurry for Constitution"

Erdogan: "No Hurry for Constitution"

Prime Minister Erdogan has said, "We are preparing a constitution for Turkey, not for the AKP. There is no text yet."

19 September 2007 Tolga Korkut

"Secularists' Fears Exaggerated" Say Feminists

Feminist Hidayet Tuksal, with Islamic beliefs, reacts to Turkey's major national daily Hürriyet's editor in chief Ertugrul Özkök for fanning fears of Islamic take over.

19 September 2007 Hidayet Tuksal