ANKARA, Feb 7: The Turkish parliament on Thursday adopted a constitutional amendment allowing women to wear headscarves in universities, a move that is strongly opposed by secularists.

Assembly deputy speaker Nevzat Pakdil announced that two votes by secret ballot easily achieved the two-thirds majority necessary to modify the constitution.

The ban on headscarves in universities has been implemented in varying degrees over the years, forcing many women to abandon their education and others to hide their headscarves under wigs to attend classes.

The key amendment said that “no one can be deprived of their right to higher education”, an allusion to young women who wear headscarves.—AFP