Student life suffers under religious rule

As Islamic State militants impose their harsh theological rule on campuses in much of northwestern Iraq, conservative religious forces have also been increasingly holding sway in higher education throughout the rest of the country, writes Gilgamesh Nabeel for Al-Fanar.

The depth of religious influence on Iraqi campuses varies from university to university. But stricter religious-based dress codes, curricula, events and other policies began after the United States invaded Iraq in 2003. Soon after, religious posters often replaced pictures of former dictator Saddam Hussein. In recent years, the religious climate has grown even more strident.

“Over the past two years, there has been terrible intervention in dictating what students wear,” said Farah Murad, who recently graduated with a degree in Spanish from Baghdad University. “The former secular dean was removed and the new one imposed many strict rules on students, with lots of religious symposiums and ceremonies.”
Full report on the Al-Fanar site