Unveiling Muslim Women: the Constitutionality of Hijab Restrictions in Turkey, Tunisia and Kosovo

This Note will analyze how and why political, social and international pressures affect the way predominately Muslim countries address the issue of religious veiling. Specifically, this piece will examine recent court cases in Tunisia, Turkey and Kosovo regarding the constitutionality of hijab bans in each respective state. Courts in Tunisia, Turkey and Kosovo have come to varied conclusions on the constitutionality of such bans despite having very similar religious freedom protections and guarantees. This Note will examine the historical treatment of the hijab in each state, the constitutional law * J.D. Candidate, Boston University School of Law, 2012. B.S., Truman State University, 2009. The author would like to thank Professor Jay Wexler for providing invaluable guidance and comments during the drafting of this note. The author would also like to thank Naz Yucel and Vedia Biton for their assistance in translating the 2008 Constitutional Court decision from Turkish into English.