Pakistani University Requires Female Students to Wear a Black Abaya

Prof. Dr. Bashir Ahmed, the vice-chancellor who presides over the Academic Council meeting held at Bacha Khan University in Pakistan, recently issued guidelines for a new dress code.  In doing so, Bashir says that cultural and religious teachings are taken into consideration. All students and teachers are prohibited from wearing shorts, jeans, tights, sports shoes, or wristbands on the university premises.

Also banned at the university are T-shirts, trousers, short shirts, make-up, jewelry, fancy purses, thin clothing, sandals, earrings, and heels. Students wearing a colorful muffler will not be allowed in the university.

Female students must wear a black abaya with a white or black scarf. An abaya is customarily black; the dress is fashioned like a relaxed and slightly baggy robe or caftan and it covers everything but the face, hands, and feet. The male students are only allowed to wear a white or black shalwar kameez. Specifically,  the new dress code includes plain shirts with blue or black dress pants, black or brown shoes, clean winter shalwar kameez or dark blue vest or coat, sweater, or plaid jacket. Footwear is also restricted to only soft, black slippers.

The vice-chancellor maintains that "proper arrangements should be in place for teaching the students religion, the Quran and its translations with proper explanation in order to make the younger generation better and responsible citizens.”

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