Bulgaria has the most sizeable Muslim population among EU states (12% on the total). Muslims in Bulgaria are indigenous and have a long historical presence in the country. The Bulgarians are very accustomed to the hijab, as the Muslim community is large and has been living there for centuries. Moreover Bulgaria has living memories of times that the headscarf was commonplace among the local (Christian) women. Paradoxically , it is in Bulgaria more than the other two studied countries where the hijab has taken on new dimensions. Many hijab-related incidents have occurred and stories about a tactical use of the hijab abound; legislation on the subject is pending and politicians and intellectuals are engaged in the public debate on the subject.
To read the full Bulgarian report, please visit the link below:
The hijab debate in Bulgaria (English)
