BULGARIA’S ANTI-DISCRIMINATION COMMISSION TAKES DECISION ON RELIGIOUS RESTRICTIONS

08:05 Thu 13 Jul 2006

In two weeks the Commission for Protection Against Discrimination (CPAD) will take a decision concerning restrictions imposed on two Muslim students in Smolyan.

Fatme Kehayova and Mihaela Vassileva, students in the professional economy high school, were denied the right to wear a veil to classes but refused to comply with the regulations.

CPAD received signals from the organisation for Islamic development and culture in Smolyan, after which it investigated the case, Darik Radio reported.

The commission received information both from the Islamic development organisation and from Krasimir Parounov, representative of the high school.

Regional mufti Selvi Shakirov said that the regulation hindered personal freedom and choice. He said that school regulations countered the Constitution and needed to be changed.

The organisation for Islamic development and culture presented a letter, with which in 2003 the Education Ministry allowed Mihaela Vassileva to attend classes wearing a veil.

Parounov said that regulations within the school needed to be followed. Until present the two girls have not been punishing for wearing veils, Parounov said.

The same rules were applied for all students and an exception should not be made in the case of the two girls, Parounov said.

Comments

Comments by rumyana - 14:35 13 Jul 2006
	Ethnic and cultural integration means giving equal rights to minorities in the key cultural group, which in this case is Christian. People of Muslim origin in BUlgaria, who spoeak fluent Bulgarian and do not wear any signs of their religion are the ons which are really integrated in the society. Bulgarians living abroad, mostly in Christian countries need to live with teh fact that thier children speak better the language of the country of their residence, and this is a result of common sense, not of a lesser demonstration of cultural identity. veils and scarves are these days political statements, nothing else, indeed.
Comments by Cornelius Krissilas - 01:01 14 Jul 2006
	I believe that all children and students in school sould wear the same school uniforms and dress.That way they look at each other as equal and accept each other.The Moslem Reliegion does not require veils.The is an ancient custom that has nothing to do with religion.The Queen of Jordan and the Queen of Morroco are Moslem but do not wear veils.