This is the first time such a decision has been made in Bosnia and
Herzegovina. Although the decision was reached during two sessions
in September and October 2015, it was only two weeks ago that the
news of it broke, sparking an outcry among citizens and within the
Muslim community.
The ban applies to the "religious symbols" of all religions.
But many have argued that while a crucifix necklace can be removed
or concealed, the same is not true for a hijab.
Hanadi Salkica has been working as a lawyer since 2007 in the
central city of Zenica. She says her hijab is not a religious symbol but
a way of life and a personal style of dress.
Salkica says that she has never encountered a judge or anyone else in
a courtroom who has looked at her differently because of it.
"It's sad that amid all the problems we have in this country, they're
interested in such irrelevant issues as whether someone's way of
dress will have an affect on their professionalism," Salkica says.
"How can you explain a statement made by a prominent
representative of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council who
said in a TV interview that [a covered woman] irritates [others] with
her appearance? What does irritate mean? I irritate someone with my
appearance just because when they see me, they know that I'm a
Bosniak Muslim? It's unbelievable."
"So the problem isn't with third parties or with lawyers, but rather
with head judges who are unable to be objective because when they
see someone who irritates them with their appearance, they can't do
their job professionally," Salkica adds.
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