Libya's new hijab mandate sparks nationwide debate over freedom and tradition

Libya's Interior Minister, Emad al-Trabelsi, stirred controversy during a press briefing on 6 November in Tripoli, where he announced the roll-out of a wide crackdown on individual freedoms that would include imposing mandatory hijabs, restricting women’s travel without a male guardian, and prohibiting gender mixing in public spaces.

The Government of National Unity's minister declared that there is "no space for personal freedom in Libya" and that those seeking it "should go to Europe." He also announced plans to reinstate "morality police," tasked with enforcing the new mandates and threatening arrests or even expulsion for those who resist.

Amnesty International criticised al-Trabelsi's statements as a "threat to fundamental freedoms" under the guise of moral enforcement, while Human Rights Watch condemned it as an infringement on personal rights.

Since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi, Libya has grappled with deep instability. The country split in 2014 into rival factions: the internationally recognised Government of National Unity GNU in Tripoli, led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, and the in Benghazi, which rejects Dbeibah's authority.

Dbeibah, appointed through a UN-backed process in 2021, has resisted ceding power without national elections, a key focus of international diplomatic efforts to resolve Libya's prolonged crisis.

Meanwhile, religious freedoms in the predominantly Muslim nation have eroded. Non-Islamic religious practices and speech deemed offensive to Islam are prohibited, while minority sects and non-Muslims face persecution. In May, the GNU's Islamic Affairs Authority launched the "Guardians of Virtue" to enforce Islamic values.

The recent statements have sent shockwaves across Libyan society, polarising public opinion on tradition, individual freedoms, and the government's role in enforcing social values, and while some Libyans saw the move as a reinforcement of cultural integrity, others argued it may deepen societal divides.

"Personal attire decisions should remain individual choices, not matters of state control," artist and Tripoli resident Basmala El Sankari told The New Arab. "It is a discriminatory and authoritarian move."

She also expressed concerns about the minister's intent to implement mandatory veiling for women and girls as young as nine, a decision that could have detrimental consequences.

"A diverse society like Libya's requires a balance between personal rights and communal values," she added. "A major decision like this one could have detrimental consequences."

However, some citizens view the decision as a necessary step.

Wafaa Boujouari, a Libyan journalist, expressed support for the policy, framing it as a safeguard against behaviours she described as "imported from Europe" and misaligned with "Libyan and Islamic values."

"While many once considered these matters private choices, official endorsement will promote adherence, helping to preserve cultural norms and Islamic principles," she said. "These measures are actively protecting our society."

Excluding women

Libyan human rights advocates, however, warn that these measures could entrench oppressive practices and intensify social divisions in a nation already grappling with political turmoil and fragmented governance.

Journalist Ayoub al-Aujali told TNA that he is "worried" that restricting personal freedoms, particularly for women, will further "marginalise them and limit their participation in public life."

Al-Trabelsi's policies, according to al-Aujali, may be motivated by a desire to diminish women's public roles and reduce their influence in the political arena, particularly as Libya prepares for upcoming municipal elections.

By framing his policies as an answer to broader societal concerns, al-Trabelsi is attempting to mask an implicit agenda aimed at side lining women from public life, he added.

"The mandate risks marginalising women and intensifying societal tensions rather than fostering unity," said a resident in Tripoli who wished to remain anonymous owing to the sensitivity of the matter. "In a country still reeling from years of internal conflict, we know that enforcing such policies risks inflaming divisions in an already politically fragmented society."

Al-Aujali echoed this sentiment, questioning the priorities of the interior ministry.

"He strayed into social directives instead of focusing on urgent national issues such as fuel smuggling and public safety," he said, arguing that a government rooted in the rule of law should respect individual freedoms within its governance.

Questions of transparency and consistency have further fuelled public doubt. One citizen, who also wished to remain anonymous, pointed out that Trabelsi previously sought support from the same youth demographic he now chastises, calling on young men to join his militias in the past.

"This makes me view his recent decisions as opportunistic and lacking a coherent vision for national security or societal well-being," he said.

Local activist Hamdi al-Nahili agreed that the state's involvement in personal choices only distracts from its primary role in governance.

"The Libyan society is capable of preserving its traditions," he said. "There's no need for the state to be involved."

Questionable priorities

Many Libyans are also worried that these policies will do little to address Libya's more pressing challenges. They argue that the government’s resources would be better allocated to stabilising the country, improving essential services, and addressing crime.

"Instead, the policy has unleashed a wave of unease and criticism, with citizens fearing it may lead to another layer of social and political challenges in a nation already facing a deeply turbulent path forward," remarked Taghreed Gamal, a Tripoli resident.

One anonymous Libyan citizen cautiously endorsed some aspects of Trabelsi's stance, especially his emphasis on combating drug trafficking, which is a significant issue in Libya. However, this citizen noted that such goals require logistical and legal preparations that go beyond mere pronouncements.

"I have deep reservations about the suppression of women's freedoms," he said. "Social issues like moral integrity cannot be resolved simply by mandating the hijab. Instead, the ministry should prioritise public safety and effective law enforcement."

Prominent Libyan TV host Zainab Tirbah, who has faced harassment and threats in public for not wearing the hijab, openly condemned the minister’s decision, holding him personally accountable for the safety of all women who choose not to cover.

She described an increasingly hostile environment, likening it to "a jungle" where women face daily intimidation and abuse, at a time when Libya is facing several consequential challenges.

This article is published in collaboration with Egab.