Religious reforms imposed in Iraqi schools, universities
Protests erupted in Iraq following a decision to impose gender segregation in schools and universities.
BAGHDAD — Dozens of students from Baghdad University took to the streets Oct. 16 to protest the establishment of an all-girls university and to demand that separation of the sexes be forbidden in Iraqi universities.
As religion seeps into every aspect of education in Iraq, art and sports classes are on the verge of disappearing, while religious education classes prevail. An escalating wave of religious extremism has been taking over Iraqi cities, especially the southern ones, where women ubiquitously wear the veil while civil freedoms are absent.
State institutions are encouraging religious parties and movements and even backing them in some cases. In 2012, for instance, security forces raided social hangouts in Baghdad.
The Iraqi government is not banning or deterring any radical religious practices, even though they clearly violate civil freedoms. It has forbidden university graduation ceremonies as well as New Year’s Eve celebrations in Baghdad and other cities.
