Albanian student banned from wearing headscarf in university

A female Muslim student has been banned from wearing a headscarf in an Albanian university after she wore one to a lecture, news from Tirana reported on Thursday.

"Students must respect the rules in Albanian schools," said Agim Kukeli, vice-chancellor of the University of Durres where the girl is studying.

He said the university had advised the student not to wear the scarf in classes, but she could do what she liked off the campus.

Beihije Hoxha, 19, had attended a Muslim school before she was enrolled as an English student at the University of Durres in early October, he said.

A senior Muslim leader in Tirana criticized the decision, saying it was "discriminatory and a direct violation of human rights."

"Nobody has the right to impose on others the way they dress, the choice is theirs," said Saimir Rusheku.

Albania is a secular Muslim country with more than 70 percent of its 3.2 million population claiming to be Muslims.

Source: Xinhua