Turkish President Abdullah Gul on Friday approved constitutional amendments allowing women to wear Islamic headscarves at universities, defying objections that the move is an attack on secularism.
Gul also called on the government to take steps to dispel concerns over the impact of the amendment package and to give priority to rights reforms that will boost the country's aspiration to join the EU, a statement from his office said.
The amendments, drawn up by the governing Islamist-rooted Justice and Development party (AKP), were adopted by an overwhelming parliamentary majority on Feb. 9, as tens of thousands gathered in the capital, Ankara, to protest against the move.
no contradiction
The president "did not find the amendments in contradiction with the general principles of law, the basic tenets of the republic and procedural rules governing constitutional amendments," a statement said.
"It is been understood that the amendments aim to strengthen the principle of equality before the law and the right to education by elucidating and confirming pre-existing clauses in the Constitution," it said.
Secularist forces -- among them the army, the judiciary and academics -- see the headscarf as a symbol of defiance against the strict separation of state and religion in Muslim-majority Turkey.
They say easing the restriction in universities will put pressure on women to cover up and pave the way to lift a similar ban in secondary education and government offices.
Top academics have warned there could be clashes on campuses and a boycott of classes by some female academics.
The secular main opposition party has threatened to take the amendments to the constitutional court on the grounds that they fall foul of the country's secular order.
sensitivity
Gul believes there is a "necessity to be understanding of the concerns of some of our citizens and to implement arrangements that will dispel these concerns," the statement said.
"The president believes it is necessary to show the utmost sensitivity and care in alleviating these concerns," it said.
The administration must also "accelerate arangements to strengthen other basic rights and liberties, and give priority to reforms required by European Union membership process," the statement said.
The AKP says the headscarf ban, which was imposed after the 1980 military coup, is a violation of the freedom of conscience and the right to education.
But many are wary of the party's roots in a banned Islamist movement and suspect it of having a secret agenda to introduce religious rule in Turkey.
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