The Kazakh government’s recent announcement of a ban on wearing the hijab headscarf in educational institutions has sparked fierce debate in the country. Officials stress the need to preserve secularism. Some girls are dropping out of school in protest. 70% of Kazakhstan are Muslim, mixed reactions to ban.

"Requirements for the school uniform prohibit the wearing of the hijab, since any attribute, symbol, element in one way or another implies propaganda of the dogma to which they relate. Ensuring the equality of all religions before the law, the principles of secularism do not allow the advantage of any religion,” reads the statement on the "For citizens” section of the Kazakh government’s website, dated October 16.