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For those who don’t come from an Islamic country, the definition of hijab and the concern if hijab is required in Turkey may be a source of the doubt when choosing this magnificent country as a holiday destination. On the other hand, Muslim tourists may have questions such as is hijab banned in Turkey or not, as of course nobody is willing to trade his or her belief system with a trip.
The short answer is no one has to be concerned; Turkey is a destination for all religions. But for a more enlightening answer, stay with us to not only find the answer to “Is hijab required in Turkey”, but also see how its rich culture and government, influenced how you can enjoy your stay freely.
About Hijab in Turkey
For our European readers, hijab or head scarves, are traditional head coverings chosen by Muslim women as part of their clothing because they believe their body parts including their hair, must not be seen by men who are not immediate family members.
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There are also other types of Islamic coverings for women such as the burka which also covers the face or veil that is seldom worn. And as for Turkey, a country that has an almost 95% Muslim population, raises the question of “do Turkish wear hijab?”
A walk through hijab history in Turkey
Turkey was ruled by the Ottoman Empire since its foundation in 1299 which was officially an Islamic Caliphate, so the history of Islam in Turkey goes way back into Turkish history. There were many mosques built during that time that are still part of Turkey’s main tourist attractions.
On November 1st, 1922, the empire was dissolved and a year later, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founded the modern republic of Turkey with secular ideas as the core governing system with the main idea being the separation of religion and state.
Why was the hijab banned in Turkey?
While talking about if the hijab is banned in Turkey or its situation in different cities such as the hijab in Istanbul as the main tourist destination, what you must keep in mind is the difference between being a part of the Turkish society or spending only a few days there as a visitor.
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Although this doesn’t matter much now, women in Turkey came a long way to reach the freedom in clothing that we experience now.
On the historic site, although Mustafa Kemal Ataturk founded a secular republic and he attempted to build a western living style and dress code which led to forbidding men to wear the Fez or turban, he never forbade wearing hijab for women. He believed that these western changes will convert women’s clothing taste eventually and they will drop their headscarves sooner or later by choice.
Long after he passed and during a coup in 1980, public dress code regulations were founded which banned the headscarf-wearing only for women who worked in the public sector such as teachers, judges, doctors, lawyers, etc.
Is hijab allowed in Turkey now?
Of course! It is estimated that around 60% of Turkish women cover their heads, and they stood by this right over a very long journey.
As mentioned earlier, clothing and hijab restrictions were put into order in 1980. Since then, the attempts to lift these restrictions began and in February 2008, the parliament gave the women the authority to wear hijab in universities to stop discouraging Turkish women to pursue higher education if the reason they are not studying is hijab banns. Unfortunately, many secularists protested as they believed this is the beginning to mix religious thoughts and governing policies.
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These attempts continued and in 2013, the hijab right was given to university students, in 2015 to the judiciary, and in 2016 even to police roles. In 2017, the law changed and now women in the military can also wear hijab together with their special uniforms.
Is a hijab required in Turkey for a tourist?
The short answer is not. Turkey is a country where you can enjoy long walks in public places without being judged by your clothes. However, there are some restrictions if you are planning to visit mosques, as these places are sacred to many Muslims all over the world, including Turkey and they have their dress code which is so easy to respect by the way.
Is a hijab required in mosques in Turkey?
Mosques are big representatives of the history and culture of Turkey. It doesn’t matter if you are staying in Istanbul, Ankara, Trabzon, or any other city, there is a great mosque you must not miss visiting. But as these places have a sacred and spiritual value to Muslims, and you can see in many of the people are saying their prayers, there are some rules you need to follow regarding your outfit which shows your respect to a different religion.
Dress code for men in mosques in Turkey
You can’t go straight from a beach resort to a mosque. You need to change, as men have to cover their upper arms and knees. This means no shorts and no tank tops. Keep in mind that these rules only apply when you are inside of a mosque and you can dress liberally in any other place.
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Dress code for women in mosques in Turkey
Mosques are the only place where women have to wear hijab. Your dress also needs to be conservative and your arms, chest, shoulder, and knees must be covered. To sum up, you need to wear something unrevealing.
If you decided to visit a mosque but are not dressed properly, just keep going toward the place, because headscarves, shawls, and appropriate clothing are provided at the entrance. But if you are concerned about hygiene, I recommend packing your scarf although the ones there are also very clean.
Dress code for all mosques in Turkey
Keep in mind that you have to take your shoes off while stepping into a mosque. It doesn’t matter if you are wearing socks or not. There are plastic bags there where you can put your shoes in to carry around with you and start your mosque tour.
Read More: Just How Many Mosques Are in Istanbul?
Is a hijab required in beach resorts and the countryside?
Hijab is neither banned nor required in these places or any other place in Turkey (except for inside the mosques). But while lying in the warm sands near the sea, remember that full nudity is not legal and you have to keep your bikinis and underwear on. Some visitors take a topless sunbath which is acceptable if you are ok with that.
The final words about hijab in Turkey
In conclusion, you need to know that Turkey is a welcome place for people from different religions and belief systems. Everybody will be treated with respect and hospitality, and the hijab is neither banned nor required in Turkey.
Every tourist has the right to dress as they believe and even Turkish women, now have the right to perform in high governmental roles and public institutions, thanks to the freedom that came with the changes in government attitude. So, pack your bags, and enjoy your stay where everybody is respected.
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