Didn't ask student to remove niqab, leave class: Prof Tasneem

Tasneem Siraj Mahbub, an associate professor of the Department of English at the University of Dhaka, has said she did not instruct a student wearing a niqab in class to change her clothes, remove the face veil or leave the classroom.

She said she had difficulty identifying the student and establishing effective communication because she could not see her eyes. She had therefore expressed her discomfort over the situation.

In a video message posted on her Facebook account today (10 October), Tasneem explained her account of the incident during a master's final-semester class on 7 October and the subsequent departmental decision.

On 8 October, following student protests over her remarks to a female student wearing a niqab in the classroom, the Department of English decided to remove Tasneem from the courses she taught.

In her video message today, Tasneem said she believes in Islam and observes religious practices in her personal and family life. She stressed that there was no question of insulting any student's religious beliefs or clothing.

She said the student had been sitting in class with two other female students, with her entire face, including her eyes, covered. As a teacher, she said, effective communication with students and a comfortable classroom environment were important, which was why she raised the issue.

Tasneem said she referred during the discussion to verse 31 of Surah An-Nur, which instructs women to observe modesty and limit the display of their adornments. Citing two other students who wore burqas in class, she explained that, according to her understanding, women could observe modest dress and purdah while keeping their faces visible. 

After Tasneem said she felt uncomfortable because she could not see the student's eyes, the student left the classroom. Tasneem said there was no argument between them. However, she exchanged views with another student who spoke in support of the woman, discussing freedom of dress, identity verification and the need for effective communication in the classroom.

Wanted to apologise to student

Tasneem said she had not intended to hurt anyone and wanted to apologise to the student.

She said she sent messages to her three times through another student and waited in the corridor for around 10 minutes. However, the student did not come out, so she could not apologise to her in person.

She later found out that, based on written complaints from students, the department had redistributed all her courses among other teachers without first hearing her account.

She has called on the university authorities to give her an opportunity to present her full account and to conduct an impartial investigation based on the statements of everyone involved and relevant evidence.

Tasneem said anonymous phone calls, emails, offensive messages and threats following the incident had raised concerns about her personal safety.

University Teachers' Network issues statement

The University Teachers' Network has said Tasneem Siraj Mahbub has been subjected to political propaganda, misinformation and academic subjugation over the recent classroom controversy.

In a statement sent by its press team today, the organisation said the incident had been taken beyond the classroom and politicised by using religion as a tool. Calls had also been made to expel the teacher from the university, suggesting a politically motivated campaign by an interest group.

The network alleged that university authorities had made irresponsible comments to the media after yielding to a group it accused of misinterpreting religion and being intimidated by social media influencers. 

It also criticised the Department of English for removing Tasneem from her courses without an investigation or giving her an opportunity to defend herself.

The organisation made three demands: a full investigation, establishing clear rules on identity verification, and legal action against those "who recorded a teacher without permission and circulated edited or out-of-context footage online".