Turkey takes first step to end headscarf ban

By Hidir Goktas

The secular establishment, which includes army generals, judges and university rectors, fears ending the ban would undermine the separation of state and religion, one of the founding principles of the modern Turkish republic.

Two-thirds of Turkish women wear headscarves and many stopped going to university after a ban on wearing them in public institutions was extended to universities in 1989.

The amendment, sponsored by the AKP and the opposition MHP, is expected to be approved in a final round of voting on Saturday as both parties have more than the two-thirds majority in seats between them.

WORST FEARS

The ban was significantly tightened in 1997 when Turkey's army generals, acting with public support, ousted a government they deemed too Islamist.

Secular rallies last year against the AK Party's choice of Abdulla Gul, a former Islamist, as president helped prompt an early parliamentary election.

Financial markets are closely following the headscarf debate.

The government has been criticised for slowing down reforms required to join the European Union as well as failing to pass promised key social security changes.

(For a Faithworld blog on the headscarf debate please see: http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2008/01/31/turkish-tempers-f lare-as-headscarf-reform-nears/ )