On Friday, June 18, students gathered outside of the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology building to protest the government's decision to ban the wearing of religious symbols in school, namely in this case, the Muslim headscarf, or hijab. Apparently this stems not only from the law to ban religious wear in school but also because a Muslim girl was denied access to the school lest she take off her hijab. Kosovo is over 90% Albanian and the majority of the population is Muslim (over 90%), with small Catholic and Orthodox sects. This protest only adds to the troubles of the Ministry of Education, as it is being investigated for corruption and the misuse of funds by the European Rule of Law Mission (EULEX).The protest was not violent and most students chanted in unison, following the lead of a few speakers situated at the steps of the Ministry. At one point there were a group of Muslim females outside the ring of the protest, and the staff escorted them to the front of the lines to make sure that the Ministry was able to see those who are "being discriminated against." The organizers of the protest also passed out bottles of water and the staff was placed throughout the crowd, most likely to ensure peace.
A friend ascertained information from a Swedish NATO-Kosovo Force solider and a local Albanian that this was the largest protest the city has seen in approximately four years and that Kosovo is at a tipping point for nonsense in the government, meaning that the government is not working for the people, but rather themselves. Aside from the large corruption, bribery, and kickbacks that transpire in the government, the best description I have heard is that the government is a 'kleptocracy.'
