Ankara: Turkish President Abdullah Gul approved a constitutional amendment package allowing women to wear Islamic headscarves at universities, his office said today.

Gul "did not find the amendments in contradiction with the general principles of law, the basic tenets of the republic and procedural rules governing constitutional amendments," a statement said.

"It is been understood that the amendments aim to strengthen the principle of equality before the law and the right to education by elucidating and confirming pre-existing clauses in the constitution," it said.

The amendments, drawn up by the governing Islamist-rooted Justice and Development party (AKP), were adopted by an overwhelming parliamentary majority on February 9 despite objections that they will undermine secularism.

Secularist forces -- among them the army, the judiciary and academics -- see the headscarf as a symbol of defiance against the strict separation of state and religion in Muslim-majority Turkey.

They say easing the restriction in universities will put pressure on women to cover up and pave the way to lift a similar ban in secondary education and government offices.

Gul believes there is a "necessity to be understanding of the concerns of some of our citizens and to implement arrangements that will dispel these concerns," the presidential statement said.

"The president believes it is necessary to show the utmost sensitivity and care in alleviating these concerns," it added.

Source : PTI