Another Central Asian country bans face veils as Muslim women told to embrace ‘national style’
Kazakhstan has banned the burqa. Here’s why
- Kazakhstan has enacted a new law prohibiting the wearing of clothing in public that obscures the face and impedes facial recognition.
- President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed the legislation, which permits face coverings only for medical reasons, adverse weather, official duties, or specific events.
- The president said the ban aims to promote Kazakhstan's ethnic identity, encouraging national attire over face-concealing garments.
- This restriction follows similar bans on the face veil in other Central Asian countries, including Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, often citing security or secularism.
- The new law comes after a 2023 government decision to ban headscarves in educational institutions, which resulted in protests and approximately 150 girls dropping out of school.