Azerbaijan, Baku, August 31 / Trend S. Suleymanov /
The Kazakh Ministry of Education is against the hijab at schools, Kazakh Education and Science Minister Zhanseit Tumebayev said in Astana on the eve of the beginning of the school year.
"We are categorically against the hijab at schools in Kazakhstan. And there are a few reasons.
First of all, clothing that covers almost the entire face is not inherent in the traditions of the Kazakh people," Tumebayev said.
He said that Kazakhs are one of the last in the Central Asian peoples who accept Islam.
The second reason is that a precedent will be created in case of permission.
"Over 140 ethnic groups live in Kazakhstan today. If we allow the wearing of the hijab, representatives of different nationalities may call on a permit to wear their national dress at schools," Minister said.