An Overview of Debates on the Hijab, Statutes and Religious Faith

Abstract

Burka is a veil with which Muslim women cover their faces and bodies when leaving the house. Wearing the burka is not an obligation of the Qur'an, but a dressing style, which has emerged from the traditions of some Arab countries. The Holy Qur'an emphasizes only the covering of Muslim women's bodies. According to theologians, Muslim women should wear aesthetic clothes to avoid exposing different body parts. At the meeting of 6 March 1937, the law "On the banning of women's hijab" was approved. The law fined violators up to 500 gold francs and provided other penalties for husbands, fathers, etc. The 1st Muslim Congress completed its work on 12 March 1923, establishing the Muslim Community of Albania. Albanian Muslim Community adopted its statute on August 1-st, 1929. The 3rd Congress of the Albanian Muslim Community, to ensure the smooth running of the community's religious and charitable affairs, adopted the statute of the year 1945. The statute of the Albanian Muslim Community of 1950 states that the Muslim Community consists of Muslims of every sect. The 1993 statute states that the Muslim Community of Albania is a non- political, independent community that includes the Muslims of Albania, as long as they do not conflict with the Islamic religion's fundamental principles. After the 1998 statute, the Muslim Community of Albania adopted the statute of 2002, which stated that the Muslim Community of the Republic of Albania represents all Muslims of the Republic of Albania and protects their Islamic religious interests. The statute adopted in 2005 emphasized that Islam is the religion of human society that was revealed to all the prophets by Adam, peace be upon him, until Muhammad, peace be upon him, as stated in the Noble Qur'an. The Constitution of Albania ensures freedom of religious belief, and the government respects this right in practice. The state is secular and protects the freedom of religion. No one has the right to violate human rights guaranteed in the Constitution.