Defense Ministry allows Unhan Muslim women cadets to wear hijab
Officials said removing the hijab applies only during basic military training at Akmil Magelang for safety reasons.
The Defense Ministry said Muslim female cadets at Universitas Pertahanan may wear the hijab during their studies, following widespread social media posts about a prospective student who withdrew after being asked to remove her head covering. The ministry said Rector’s Regulation No. 28 of 2025 does not contain any ban on wearing the hijab. Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin also directed that cadet uniform rules be adjusted to accommodate hijab use. The requirement to remove the hijab, the ministry said, applies only to basic military training activities at Akademi Militer, Magelang, on safety and mobility grounds. Outside that, Muslim female cadets may wear the hijab in the dormitory, at certain off-campus activities and during internships.