Head Scarves To Be Banned In Some Russian Schools

A girl wearing hijab at a school in the republic of Daghestan.

Russia's multiethnic region of Stavropol will introduce a dress code that bans religion-related clothing in schools.

Regional governor Valery Zerenkov told journalists that the decision to introduce the dress code was made because of the situation in Neftekumsk district.

Last month, several families complained that their daughters, who wear Islamic head scarves, called hijabs, were not allowed to enter secondary schools.

The new dress code prohibits the wearing of any religious clothing or clothes with religious symbols.

It also bans casual clothes that are too revealing and shoes with heels higher than seven centimeters.

The dress code is to go into effect on December 20.

The Stavropol region borders Russia's mostly Muslim-populated republics of Chechnya, Daghestan, Kabardino-Balkaria, and Karachaevo-Cherkessia.

Based on reporting by RIA-Novosti and Interfax