Erdogan’s schools say yes to veil but ban tattoos and makeup
Controversy over new rules in Turkey, “it’s Islamization”
A girl in class wearing the veil at a school in Istanbul(by Benedetta Guerrera) (ANSAmed) – New rules in Turkey dictated by the government state that female students can wear the veil but not makeup nor have tattoos or piercings. Also, hair should not be colored and boys cannot have a moustache or beard.
Published Saturday on the Official Gazzette, the new rules were promoted first by President Recep Tayyp Erdogan and were immediately criticized by the opposition, which considers them as “oppressive”, “inapplicable” and a step forward towards the “Islamization” of Turkey.
Already in July, Erdogan had expressed his thoughts on tattoos, harshly criticizing a young player from Galatasaray.
“Why do you hurt your body?”, the president told soccer player Berk Yildiz. “Don’t be fooled by foreigners. You risk skin cancer in the future”. Based on new rules set by Ankara, girls and boys “can’t dye their hair, nor wear makeup or have tattoos and piercings”.
Boys also “cannot wear a beard and moustache”.
“Students have to go to school showing their face, cannot use bags or other material with political symbols, photos or writings”. Students risk being expelled if they don’t comply with the new rules.
And if ”scarves, berets and hats” are banned, veils for female students over 10 years of age are now allowed.
”Everybody must live their lives as they think is best”, said Turkish Premier Ahmet Davutoglu, known for being a conservative, right after the government’s decision to scrap a ban on wearing the veil in high school following a liberalization in universities, public offices and parliament.
