Bar-Ilan University bars student wearing niqab from campus

The student reportedly responded that the policy was “persecution,” she has the right to choose what she wears, and others must respect her choice.

By Etgar Lefkovits, JNS

Bar-Ilan University said Thursday that it has barred a student from entering campus after she violated school policy by wearing a niqab—a long garment worn by some Muslim women that covers their entire body and face, except for their eyes.

The Arab Israeli student adhered to university policy during the initial months of her studies but recently began wearing the niqab, the Ramat Gan university said.

“I received your request to wear the niqab in classes and around campus. I understand that you are doing so now, despite the fact that at the beginning of the year, after a discussion on the subject with Mr. Rafaat Sweidan, academic adviser for Arab society, it was made clear to you that this is not acceptable on campus,” the university’s rector, Professor Amnon Albeck, wrote the student, according to a report in Ynet.

The student reportedly responded that the policy was “persecution,” she has the right to choose what she wears, and others must respect her choice.

Israeli universities allow the wearing of the hijab scarf, a head covering worn in public by many Muslim women.

In contrast, France, which has the largest Muslim population in Europe, bans wearing of the niqab in public places, and of conspicuous religious symbols, including the hijab, in public schools.

“Bar-Ilan University respects every individual, including their right to observe their religion and customs, and extends this respect to all students. However, in accordance with university policy, all students are required to keep their faces visible while on campus—during classes, in open areas and as part of academic activities,” the university said in a response sent to JNS.

“This policy was explained to the student prior to the start of her studies on campus and was accepted by her during the initial months of her enrollment.

“The requirement for visible faces is based on pedagogical, security and administrative considerations. It is intended to ensure the proper functioning of educational processes that rely on open interaction, personal identification and the safety of all students. Therefore, the university administration cannot permit participation in classes or presence on campus when a person’s face is fully covered by a niqab.”