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This is a promising turn of events:

A Bangladesh court has ruled that people cannot be forced to wear skull caps, veils or other religious clothing in workplaces, schools and colleges. The ruling came after reports that a college in the north had forced students to wear veils. The high court also ruled that women cannot be prevented from taking part in sports or cultural activities.

Bangladesh is a Muslim country, with nearly 90% of its population professing Islam. Despite this handicap, however, the courts have passed a law that stands in stark contradiction of those of the stereotypical Islamic nation (think Iran, Pakistan, Maldives). This is good news for a few reasons: first, it suggests that perhaps moderately-religious people are willing to, and capable of, shouting down the more conservative forces in society and embrace equal rights. Second, it suggests that there is no religious tradition for which this can be true (debunking the tired trope that Christianity birthed secular philosophy). Third, it is strongly suggestive that countries like Bangladesh are motivated to embrace secular philosophy and move forward along with other parts of the world.