Global Ethics Corner: Who Cares What You Wear on Your Head?

Mar 6, 2009

Banning headscarves may violate an individual's right of religious expression and choice. Allowing headscarves may violate a state's commitment to secularism. How do we marry public goods and religious imperatives?

Think of headscarves.

Banning headscarves may violate my right of religious expression and choice. Who cares what I wear?

Allowing headscarves may violate a state's commitment to secularism. Why must I be accosted in public spaces like universities with the personal beliefs of others?

Requiring headscarves may be religious oppression of women, a human rights violation, but by not requiring them do I violate God's higher laws?

According to Ahmet Kuru, "There is a sharp policy distinction between the US, which allows students' religious symbols; France, which bans these symbols in public schools; ...Turkey, which prohibits them in all public and private educational institutions," and Iran, which requires them.

In America we talk about separation of church and state, a passive form of secularism. In France as well as Turkey, the phrase is laïcité, a more assertive secularism.

The three options for state policies may each violate a human right or religious mandate: headscarves for everyone, for no-one, or by personal choice.

How secular can and should the public sphere be? Who decides? How do we marry public goods and religious imperatives?

By William Vocke

To post a comment, go to the Global Ethics Corner slideshow.

You may also like

I'm Still Here poster. Credit: VideoFilmes/RT Features/MACT Productions/IMDB.

JUN 4, 2025 Article

Ethics on Film: Discussion of "I'm Still Here"

This review of the Brazilian Oscar-winning 2024 film "I'm Still Here" explores ethical issues surrounding Brazil's 20th century military dictatorship and parallels to today.

MAY 20, 2025 Podcast

Character not Compliance, with Edward Brooks

Oxford's Dr. Edward Brooks joins "Values & Interests" to discuss how embracing ethics can unlock better thinking, relationships, and outcomes in our personal and professional lives.

MAY 13, 2025 Video

Advancing Global Health in a Moment of Fracturing Partnerships

In this event from our Ethics Empowered: Leadership in Practice series, practitioners examined the impact of today's geopolitical environment on the future of public health.

Not translated

This content has not yet been translated into your language. You can request a translation by clicking the button below.

Request Translation