Ayatollah Sistani's Response to Ban on Headscarf-Wearing Women Entering Schools in an Islamic Country

Grand Ayatollah Sistani responded to a religious ruling query on whether, in Islamic countries, removing the hijab in schools is permissible under coercion or when it causes harm or severe hardship.

Grand Ayatollah Sistani responded to a poll about the Shari'a rule of abandoning the hijab in schools in Islamic countries in case of coercion and severe harm or hardship.

According to Ambassador Arjan, the questions and answers published on the Arabic website of the Highness Authority are as follows:

If in one of the Islamic countries, the wearing of uniforms is made compulsory in girls' schools, and if veiled students are prevented from entering schools, and if veiled teachers are not allowed to appear in the school and teach wearing a veil, in such a way that this prohibition causes significant damage or severe hardship to them, what is the Sharia ruling?

Is the verdict of these people the same as the Muslim women who face the prohibition of hijab in schools in non-Islamic countries? That is, they should maintain their religious hijab as much as possible; For example, should they cover most of their hair with a hat, and by wearing a high-necked dress, should they completely cover their necks up to the chin, and should they abandon the hijab only to the extent necessary?

Is their ruling the same or is there a difference?

If giving in to the compulsion to abandon the hijab has negative and widespread consequences for the society, the mere existence of personal necessity to accept this compulsion is not enough; Especially if this action causes serious damage to the cultural identity of the society and causes the authorities to become bolder and continue their actions in trying to destroy the Islamic traditions of the society. Therefore, these social consequences must also be considered. The governor of Allah is complaining.