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Muslim scarves stir up religious feelings in Albanian high school

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February 3, 2001 

TIRANA--(AP) - Two Muslim girls stayed away from classes Friday after their high school banned them from wearing head scarves in school - a decision that has sparked debate in this predominantly Muslim country.

Miralda Gjoka, 18, and Ermira Dani, 17, both students at a high school in the Albanian capital of Tirana, were barred from classes last week after they refused to remove the scarves, a traditional Muslim symbol of female modesty.

Wearing the scarves breaks school regulations, which also ban miniskirts and sleeveless shirts. School director Prel Vata defended his decision, saying, "They're free to attend a religious school if they want, but, if they are to attend this one, they have to obey the rules."

The teen-agers began wearing head scarves in January.

"I have practiced Islam for four years, and now I have taken this decision," Gjoka said.

Before the fall of communism in 1990, religion was banned in Albania for almost 50 years. Since then, mosques and churches began to reopen throughout the country. About 60 percent of the population are Muslim.

Still, rules such as the ban on head scarves represents an attempt to separate religion from state functions, such as education. Vaso Qanom, an Education Ministry official, said the government supports the school's decision.

Ervin Hatibi, 27, editor-in-chief of the Islamic community newspaper Drita Islame (Islamic Light), said that the situation is typical of post-communist societies, where fear of being perceived as belonging to the East leads to religious intolerance.

The head of the Muslim community, Hafiz Sabri Koci, sent a letter of protest to the Prime Minister Ilir Meta, asking him to intervene in the case.

At the start of the school year, students across the nation are asked to sign a form stating they agree with the clothing regulations. The case is expected to lead to a review of the regulations in other schools and universities in the country.