ADDIS ABABA – A river of resistance wove its way through Mekelle, the pulsating heart of Tigray, where thousands gathered in a fervent protest. Their unified voice rose against a controversial hijab ban affecting schoolgirls, defying a court mandate that should have curbed such actions. Imagine that: a city, bustling with history, now echoing with chants for justice.
In the storied lands of Axum, educational authorities bucked against the court’s ruling, reinforcing the ban and sending ripples throughout this northern Ethiopian region. It’s a maneuver that has left many shaking their heads, wondering what drove the local education bureau to thumb its nose at both legislative wisdom and cultural sensitivity.
The Tigray Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, champions of this cause, stretched a banner across Romanat Square in the spirit of protest, emblazoned with a slogan that encapsulated their stance: “She will learn while wearing her hijab.” It’s a clarion call that underlines not only the right to education but insists it be unburdened by religious suppression.
Sheikh Adam Abdulkadir, commanding presence and president of the Tigray Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, addressed the crowd with impassioned clarity, weaving historical context into the fabric of his speech: “Our daughters, standing on the shoulders of countless generations of Tigray’s faithful, face closed doors where doors should be open. Islam is woven into our region’s cultural tapestry.” Imagine the sense of frustration and betrayal coursing through those who should be in classrooms instead of courtrooms.
He further elaborated on how dialogues were held in good faith, with hopes for resolution still hanging thin in the balance. Yet, the sands of time have shifted little for the affected students. “It’s a violation of their fundamental rights,” Abdulkadir noted, with a simmering undertone of exasperation no one could miss.
One cannot help but remember the tragic tales from last year — Muslim students, lives cut short, their hijabs becoming shrouds of martyrdom. Now, the living embody the spirit of resilience, yearning to learn without sacrificing their faith at the altar of secular education. It’s heart-wrenching.
The streets of Mekelle bore witness to peaceful defiance. Gone were cries of anger; instead, quiet resolve permeated the air. Observers spoke of the calm, respectful nature of the protests. The hijab, a core element of Muslim identity, remains a non-negotiable aspect of their religious commitment, akin to the very air they breathe.
Recent months have been a boiling pot of frustrations, with the exclusion of hijab-wearing Muslim students from critical Grade 12 exams serving as the latest slap in the face. It is a scene so enthralling that one can’t help but question: Is this the land where emperors once ruled, now turning a blind eye to equity?
The Axum City District Court, recognizing the obvious overreach, had halted the hijab ban, calling upon school authorities to account for their actions. Much like a goalie called to stand tall in the penalty box, these schools must justify their stance. Reports say a local lawyer, Mustafa Abdu, underlined the fundamental goal of the protests during his interviews, stressing the importance and validity of the students’ rights to an education that does not dance on the knife’s edge of religious compromise.
“There’s not a shred of legal scaffolding to support the dilemma facing these students,” Mustafa asserted; and indeed, it leaves many shaking their heads in disbelief. Such a poignant conflict between law and practice brings to mind the old adage: Justice delayed is justice denied.
Gender rights, religious freedom, legal rights — these are the tectonic plates upon which the current narrative in Tigray is shifting. Amid these dynamic debates, one can’t help but be reminded of simpler, yet more inclusive times.
The question lingers: who will step forward to mend this schism? And how long must these young women wait, talents confined by tradition? As this story unfolds, only time will hold the answer.
Report by Axadle.
