On October 29, Chechen MPs expressed their intention to overturn a recent ban on wearing the hijab in schools within the Vladimir region. 

State Duma Deputy Adam Delimkhanov described the restriction as unconstitutional, condemning its initiators as “irresponsible.” He argued, “To cover this discrimination with concern for appearance in educational institutions is an absolute provocation. Such measures can cause distrust in state institutions, increase the feeling of alienation among believing citizens, and lead to disunity.”

On the same day, during a roundtable in the State Duma on “Formation of All-Russian Civil Identity and Prevention of Extremism in the Youth Environment,” Dagestan MP Sultan Khamzaev criticized the timing of the ban, referring to those responsible as “idiots” for enacting it while Russian President Vladimir Putin was hosting an international event with Arab leaders. “On the one hand, the Ministry of Education says that children lack education, and on the other hand, it does not help parents but prevents them from inculcating traditional religion in children,” Khamzaev remarked. He urged officials to cancel the decision and refrain from what he termed “provocations.”

Notably, the ban, issued by the Vladimir region’s Ministry of Education and Youth Policy on October 25, prohibits students from wearing attire that displays religious affiliation, including hijabs and niqabs. The ministry pointed out that Russia is a secular state under the Constitution and emphasized that “the church is separated from the state, including from the sphere of secular education.” Accordingly, the ministry stated that students’ clothing should not contain religious symbols. The ministry further noted that the decision aligns fully with the laws on freedom of conscience, religious associations, and education.