(Photo: Social media)
Addis Abeba– Muslim grade 12 students in Axum, Tigray Region, reported missing the deadline for online registration for the national examination today, January 10, alleging that schools required them to remove their hijabs to register.
The students told Addis Standard that schools in the town refused to allow them to complete their registration unless they removed the hijab, which they say violates their religious beliefs.
One student, speaking anonymously to Addis Standard, said, “We cannot remove our hijabs to register for the national exam, as our religion forbids it. We would rather forgo our education than violate our religious obligation.”
A teacher from Axum, who spoke to Addis Standard on condition of anonymity, confirmed that in-person registration for regular grade 12 students concluded last week. However, he noted that online registration through schools officially ended at 4:00 p.m. on January 10, while registration for extension students is set to remain open until next Monday.
The students have been protesting the hijab ban, which they claim infringes on their constitutional rights to education and religious freedom.
Haji Mohammed Kahsay, Secretary of the Islamic Affairs Council in Tigray, previously told Addis Standard that the ban disproportionately affects grade 12 Muslim students.
The students estimate that approximately 160 Muslim grade 12 students in Axum were denied registration due to their refusal to remove their hijabs.
The students additionally allege that some teachers at various grade levels have subjected them to verbal abuse because of their decision to wear the hijab.
“This ban on the hijab is directly jeopardizing our academic future,” another student stated. “Our dreams of attending university are slipping further away.”
In a statement earlier this week, the Tigray Islamic Affairs Supreme Council warned it would take “further peaceful measures in consultation with believers” if the ban on wearing the hijab in schools in Axum was not addressed within three days.
The council later said that it has initiated legal action against the ban and criticized the Tigray Education Bureau for failing to take effective measures beyond issuing statements. AS
