In Kosovo, the expulsion of an 18-year-old student from Bedri Pejani high school for wearing a hijab has prompted an investigation by the Ombudsman, amid ongoing debates on the balance between religious freedom and educational regulations. The student, identified as A.D., has been absent from classes for a month following her removal at the academic year’s outset. This action followed an administrative instruction from the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI), prohibiting “religious uniforms” in public schools.
The debate intensifies as the Minister of Education, Arbërie Nagavci, and Peja’s Director of Education, Naser Gega, engage in deliberations over the student’s potential reinstatement. Although Minister Nagavci has suggested A.D. be allowed back to school, Gega emphasizes that her recommendations are advisory, necessitating further legal consultations. The Ombudsman is close to issuing a public opinion on the case, and concerns are rising about potential human rights violations, particularly concerning religious freedom and access to education. The case is also under review by the Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Peja, which is exploring whether the expulsion aligns with or infringes upon human rights laws.
Supporters of A.D., including the Islamic Community of Kosovo and civil society organizations such as the Kosovo Center for Peace, argue that the ban on religious uniforms has been improperly interpreted by school authorities, thus infringing on the student’s rights. Gezim Shala, from the Kosovo Institute for Justice, has highlighted the “legal uncertainty” engendered by the vague language of MESTI’s instruction. Proponents for changing the directive, like Labinot Maliqi from the Kosovo Center for Peace, insist that the hijab is a religious obligation and not a uniform as per the instruction.
The Director of Bedri Pejani high school, Musa Nikaçi, maintains that in the absence of any amendment or reinterpretation by higher authorities, the directive must be enforced. This ongoing situation deciphers broader tensions between religious expression and state policies in Kosovo—an issue reflected in past instructions from MESTI and criticized by religious groups such as the Islamic Community of Kosovo. For more insights on this evolving situation, the original article on JURIST offers extensive coverage.