Forcing Hijab is Blasphemy: Ahok.
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama explained his reason for banning schools to require female students to wear hijab.
According to Ahok, students should wear hijab by choice instead of being forced by teachers. Ahok said that despite the requirement to wear hijab, many female students take off their hijab when the school hours end. He suggested that students must wear hijab consistently.
"They came to school (wearing hijab) because it's mandatory. If you [decided to] wear hijab, then you must be consistent," Ahok said at the City Hall on Thursday, June 9, 2016.
The Governor revealed that the Jakarta administration has never issued a circular letter calling on schools to require female students to wear hijab on certain days, particularly on Friday. He said that forcing women to wear hijab is a blasphemy.
"[Requiring students] to wear hijab on certain days is a blasphemy, because when they're not at schools they take them off. That's not a good attitude," Ahok added.
He suggested that schools should educate students to wear hijab instead of forcing it through a regulation. Ahok added that understanding Islam should not be forced.
"Hijab is not a part of uniform. It's a calling. So, we need to understand the difference," Ahok said.
LARISSA HUDA
Source
