Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov. 11 / Trend U.Sadikhova /
"Wearing the hijab in public and educational institutions in Turkey is not a topic for discussion in the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC)," OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu told Trend . "Because it is Turkey's domestic politics."
"The question of wearing a hijab is inflated [in Turkey]. This problem affects the freedom of the conscience and the domestic situation in Turkey, so the OIC sees no reason to interfere," said Ihsanoglu, who is attending the Baku conference on dialogue among civilizations.
According to Turkey's Constitution, the hijab is prohibited in public and educational institutions.
Although the Turkish ruling Justice and Development Party has abolished this law, the Constitutional Court decided to restore the legislation.
According to the secretary general of the OIC, which is the second largest organization in the world after the U.N., two facts led to the dispute in Turkish society - some see the hijab as an important element of the Muslim faith and consider wearing hijab mandatory, while others look at the hijab as an element of tradition and therefore do not consider it to be important.
However, although the problem has grown recently, it can be solved over time, he said.
Ihsanoglu refused the OIC's involvement in resolving the standoff over the hijab together with the Turkish government based on the fact that it affects the country's domestic problems.
The EU and U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom believes the ban on wearing headscarves violates human rights, freedom of religious and freedom of expression.
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has recognized a ban on wearing headscarves as violation of human rights to freedom of religion and freedom of expression in its annual report, the U.S. Department of State reported.
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