# Headscarf Controversy Sparked by Annual President's Party October 31, 2003 Source: The Christian Science Monitor On October 31, 2003 *The Christian Science Monitor* ran an article on a controversy over the hijab sparked by Turkey's annual president's party celebrating the anniversary of the republic: "While foreign diplomats and opposition lawmakers - pillars of Turkey's Westernized and staunchly pro-secular elite - were invited to bring their spouses, male members of the conservative Justice and Development Party (AKP) were asked to leave their wives at home. The reason? Most wear head scarves, legally forbidden in universities and public offices around the country. AKP deputies were far from alone in deploring the president's decision." See also:- [ Advocacy/Government ](/news-stories/advocacygovernment) - [ Civil Liberties/Civil Rights ](/news-stories/civil-libertiescivil-rights) - [ Discrimination/Accomodation ](/news-stories/discriminationaccomodation) - [ Headscarf Controversies ](/news-stories/headscarf-controversies) - [ Islam ](/religions/islam) - [ International ](/tags/international) - [ Women ](/tags/women) Share on:- [ Facebook ](#) - [ Twitter ](#) - [ Linkedin ](#)