Pribadi Wicaksono, Jakarta – The burka ban that was introduced by Yogyakarta State Islamic University Sunan Kalijaga (UIN Yogyakarta) was met with criticism from a representative of Islamic organization Muhammadiyah.

"The ban on the use of burka at this campus is truly shallow. Burka is just a symbol," said Azman Latif, Deputy Chairman of Muhammadiyah in Yogyakarta on Tuesday, March 6.

According to Azman, the use of burka is merely someone's actualization of faith towards their religion. "The burka ban introduced by the university does not guarantee that it will erase the seeds of radicalism or intolerance," he said.

Furthermore, Azman argued that technical policies that regulate someone's clothing cannot help eradicate radicalism.

Meanwhile, head of Nahdalatul Ulama Yogyakarta chapter Nizar Ali countered Azman's argument and said that he has no problem with the burka ban since campus management has the autonomy to do so.

The Rector of State Islamic University Sunan Kalijaga prohibited its students to wear burkas during campus activities. He warned that he would expel 41 burka-wearing students (based on the campus' data) if they refuse to not wear the burka.

The Minister of Research, Technology, and Higher Education Muhammad Nasir asked UIN Yogyakarta management to avoid limiting the rights of female students to wear a burka.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/news/2018/03/06/055916359/Muhammadiyah-Against-Burka-Ban-in-UIN-Yogyakarta