Gov’t Dismisses False Reports of Mandatory Hijab in Schools

Ministry of Education has refuted widespread rumors suggesting plans to make the hijab mandatory in schools, as circulated on social media platforms. 

The Ministry of Education released a statement on yesterday to dispel the speculations surrounding the alleged proposal.

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ދަރިވަރުންގެ ޔުނިފޯމް ކޯޑަށް މިނިސްޓްރީއިން ބަދަލުތަކެއް ގެންނަން އުޅޭ ކަމަށް ބުނެ ސޯޝަލް މީޑިއާގައި މިއަދު ދައުރުވަމުންދާ ޑޮކިޔުމަންޓަކީ އެއްވެސް އަސާސެއް ނެތް، ހަޤީޤަތާ ޚިލާފު ޑޮކިޔުމަންޓެއް ކަމުގައި ދަންނަވަމެވެ. (1/2)— Ministry of Education (@MoEdumv) December 18, 2023

The rumors gained traction after social media posts claimed that the Education Ministry was in the process of drafting a paper for Cabinet consideration. 

FAKE NEWS. pic.twitter.com/zwjYUgVxVC— Abdulla Khaleel (@abkhaleel) December 18, 2023

According to the posts, the proposed initiative aimed to enforce the mandatory wearing of hijab in all Maldivian schools, with the purported paper attached for reference. Contrary to the circulating information, the Education Ministry categorically dismissed the claims as “fake news.” 

In addition to the hijab-related rumors, another social media post claimed that clothing not meeting community standards would be banned from March onward, aligning with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s ‘Hafuthaa 14’ roadmap. 

Health Minister Dr Abdulla Khaleel has denounced this additional claim as “fake news,” asserting that no such policy is under consideration by the current administration.