Islamic university bans burqas on campus

An Indonesian state Islamic university faced criticism from Muslim groups and activists last week after it banned female students from wearing full-face veils citing fears over the spread of radical ideology on the campus, reports Reuters.

Indonesia is home to the world’s largest Muslim population, the majority of whom practise a moderate form of Islam. But the country has seen a recent rise in more conservative interpretations of the religion, which many see as a threat to its long-standing reputation for religious tolerance and diversity.

The State Islamic University in Yogyakarta city, on Java island, said it had 41 students using the full veil, or burqa, who would be offered counselling sessions and ultimately be asked to take off the veil if they wanted to graduate. The Islamic Defenders Front, a conservative group that campaigns against activities it deems un-Islamic, said in a statement the policy “did not make sense” and was in conflict with the country’s efforts to preserve diversity.
Full report on the Reuters site