In the bustling heart of Jakarta, the blue light of a smartphone screen was often the first thing Maya saw every morning. As a twenty-four-year-old digital strategist, Maya lived at the intersection of tradition and the frantic pace of the internet. One Tuesday, a single video changed everything.
: Human Rights Watch continues to document cases of bullying and psychological distress for those who do not comply. In the bustling heart of Jakarta, the blue
After years of pressure and a highly publicized case of a Christian student in Padang, West Sumatra, being forced to wear a hijab, the Indonesian government finally acted. In 2026, Education Minister Nadiem Makarim banned state schools from forcing any student—Muslim or non-Muslim—to wear a religious headscarf. Schools violating the ban risk losing government funding. Human Rights Watch applauded the move, noting that for years, public schools had used "bullying, intimidation, social pressures—and in some cases, expulsion and forced resignation" to compel hijab-wearing. A teacher from an international school in Purwokerto was instructed to remove her hijab during a job interview due to a "no religious symbols" policy. Schools in regions like Minangkabau, where Islamic norms are strictly adhered to, have resisted the policy. : Human Rights Watch continues to document cases
This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later. Schools violating the ban risk losing government funding