Independent reports that the head of the State Islamic University (UIN) in Yogyakarta city, Yudian Wahyudi, says the policy is to prevent radicalization on campus.

He explains: “Female students wearing the burqa, and radical groups, they are disturbing the teaching process.

“We are putting moderate Islam forward,” as a “preventive action to save the students”.

However, he added that the institution is not against regular headscarves that do not cover the face.

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Reactions to University’s Burqa Ban

This new policy has been severely criticised by some groups.

A women’s rights activist named Lathiefah Widuri Retyaningtyas said, “Using full-face veils is a choice and we cannot interfere with their choice and their freedom.”

In a statement, the Islamic Defenders Front said the policy “did not make sense.”

This new policy affects 41 students. UIN says they will be offered counseling sessions before ultimately being asked to remove the veil.