Women urge end to 'jilbab' discrimination

Muhammad Uzair and Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post/Palembang/Semarang

In observance of Jilbab (Muslim headscarf) International Solidarity Day on Saturday, hundreds of Indonesian Muslim women staged separate protests in two cities against alleged discrimination against them.

In Palembang, South Sumatra, around 200 women wearing headscarves gathered at the Fountain Circle to demand that the government stop discriminating against jilbab wearers.

The protesters comprised activists from at least eight student groups in Palembang, such as the Indonesia Muslim Student Association (HMI) and the Indonesian Muslim Student Movement (PMII).

Grouped in the Alliance of South Sumatra Muslim Women, the students carried banners, which had slogans such as: "Stop Pornography" and "Stop Discriminating against Women".

"In Indonesia, discrimination (against jilbab wearers) is not visible, but the ban on wearing headscarves when taking photos for school diplomas is a form of discrimination and should immediately be lifted," rally coordinator Mustika Wati said during the protest.

The government does not ban Indonesian Muslims from wearing the jilbab in public or private places. However, certain schools often prohibit students from taking pictures with headscarves on for school photos.

Also in some offices, Muslim women have reportedly been required to take them off.

The protesters also slammed the exploitation of women in the media. "We urge the government to immediately speed up the endorsement of the anti-pornography bill. Just watch TV. Women are just made a medium for sexual arousal," stated Mustika.

A similar rally was held by dozens of Muslim women in Semarang, Central Java, grouped in the Semarang Muslim Women's Alliance.

Gathering on Jl. Pahlawan, they demanded that the government ensure the freedom for Muslim women to wear thejilbab in all places.

The demonstrators explained that the jilbab is a special symbol for Muslim women and that wearing it is one of the things required by the religion.

"If there are countries that ban Muslim women from wearing the jilbab, it means they are violating human rights," protest coordinator Retno Handayani said, while condemning France and Turkey for imposing bans.

France has drawn criticism from some Muslims around the world for banning the jilbab -- and other religions' symbols -- in government offices.

"The jilbab is not only a trendy fashion statement, but also an obligation for Muslims. Therefore, they must stop trampling on human rights with these jilbab bans," Retno stated.

She said the Indonesian government allows the use of jilbab, but has failed to stop some schools and offices from asking Muslims to take them off.

"I was once ordered by my school not to put my picture, while wearing a jilbab, on my school diploma. Moreover, many women have been forced to take it off before starting new jobs," Retno alleged.