"The ruling writes a rare bright page in the annals of Tunisian judiciary," lawyer Abdel-Raouf Al-Ayyadi told IslamOnline.net on Wednesday, October 10.

The Administrative Court has ruled in favor of Saeeda Adalah, a teacher who was suspended by school administration for wearing hijab.

The administration based its decision on law no. 102 which considers hijab a sign of "extremism" and thus bans it.

In its verdict, the court said the law was in violation of the constitution and infringes on individuals rights.

It added that the infamous law gives unlimited powers to the authorities, threatening basic freedoms including the freedom of belief.

"Law no. 102 has violated the Constitution which guarantees people the right to practice their full rights as enshrined in the law."

Hijab, which is an obligatory code of dress in Islam, has been a burning issue in the North African Muslim country.

In 1981, then president Habib Bourguiba ratified a law banning women from wearing hijab in state offices.

Worse still, the government issued in the 1980s and 1990s more restrictive enactments including the notorious 102 law.

Far-reaching

Ayyadi, the lawyer, believes the court ruling would have far-reaching repercussions.

"The judiciary has delivered its word on a social and cultural phenomenon that has become a source of suffering for Tunisian women," he said.

"This verdict would lead to many legal and political consequences."

Rights groups hope the court ruling would bring the anti-hijab campaign in the North African country to an end.

But observers rule out that authorities would lift restrictions or stop harassment against hijab-clad women.

Every academic year the authorities crack down on hijab-clad students and their bearded male peers.

Authorities "must stop harassment and violations against hijab-wearing women," said the Liberty and Justice organization.

It called on authorities to "offer a public apology for assaults committed against thousands of veiled women and girls over the past two decades."


IOL