Defence Minister Ensures Female Defence University Cadets May Wear Hijab

Minister of Defence Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has confirmed that female Muslim cadets at the Defence University (Unhan) may wear the hijab during their education. The statement was issued by the Ministry of Defence in an official press release after social media was abuzz over a female Unhan student who claimed she chose to leave because she was prohibited from wearing the hijab during her studies.

‘The Minister of Defence of the Republic of Indonesia has given direction that the provisions on Unhan cadet uniforms be adjusted to accommodate the use of the hijab for female Muslim cadets,’ the official press release stated on Sunday (23/8/2026).

According to the ministry, it has never prohibited female Unhan students from wearing the hijab. It claimed that such a prohibition was never stipulated in Rector Regulation of Unhan RI Number 28 of 2025 concerning the Code of Conduct for Defence University Cadets.

Regarding the requirement to remove the hijab during basic military training at the Military Academy in Magelang, the ministry considered this to be applied for safety reasons. By removing the hijab, cadets are expected to move more freely during the basic military training process.

‘In daily life, female Muslim cadets may wear the hijab while in their living quarters or mess as well as during certain activities outside campus, including during internships,’ the press release explained.