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Journalism of Courage
As member of Frances parliament voted to outlaw the public wearing of the niqab,the Muslim facial veil that exposes just the eyes,Syria is quietly imposing its own curbs. A number of teachers who wear the niqab in schoolhave been transferred to other jobs. The governments action,so far ordered only orally,has been shrouded in secrecy. But it has been confirmed by civil-society groups that have been approached by some of the 1,200-odd teachers said to have been affected. Ali Saad,the education minister,is reported to have told teachers that the niqab undermines the objective,secular methodology of Syrias schools.
Yet the government is still very wary of Muslim fundamentalism,especially in education. Last year it reviewed its regulations for Islamic schools. One committee was set up to monitor their funding; another looked at the curriculum. Many of the foreigners who fetch up in Syrian jails are radicals who have been involved in religious schools. Seeking ways to curb the niqab in places of education illustrates the governments twitchiness.
The reaction of Syrians has been mixed. The niqab is a Wahhabi way of influencing Syria and is a form of violence against women, says Bassam al-Kadi,the outspoken head of the Syrian Womens Observatory,a lobby that strongly supports the curb. But some say it is an attack on personal freedom.
