Kilgistan has become the latest Central Asian country, a major central Asian, who banned Islamic Nikabu, a long clothing that covers his eyes, hair and face.
On February 1, the ban will impose a fine of 20,000 SOM ($ 230) to women wearing Nikab in public places.
Women’s Islamic clothes and male beards have long been focused on government campaigns and public discussions in Central Asia.
Congress of Kyrgyzstat states that it is necessary to prohibit security reasons. Therefore, you can see the faces of people and identify individuals. However, the opponents say they take the freedom to choose what women want to wear.
“Part of our tradition”
Prohibition is a part of the revision of the Religious Code Law. On January 21, President Sadia Japarov signed the law. It does not explicitly mention Nikabu, which is known as “Palandiha” locally.
However, it prohibits “clothing that makes it impossible to identify people in government offices and public places”. The cover of the face that is required for or for the medical reasons for a part of work is exempted.
Representatives and religious people in the government argue that the ban does not extend to Hijab, a scarf in the Islamic head that covers his hair and neck, but has a face.
Kilgistan is the only country in Central Asia, which allows Hijabs in schools and offices.
“There are no restrictions on head scarfs. Our mother and sisters are always wearing a head scarf as part of our tradition and religion,” said Congress President Nurlanbek ShakieV when he presented the bill last year. Tell the member of the Diet.
Nikabu is common in Arab Gulf countries. There is no tradition to wear NIQAB in Kirgi Stan, but in recent years, clothing has become more and more popular among conservative women.
Intense discussion
For many years, there was a fierce public debate over Kirgi Stan’s NIQAB. By the growing popularity, the campaign supported by the state is promoted, and WHERE ADE We Headed? Almost 10 years ago.
In 2023, a member of the Diet Shala Patkan Magitova visited the southern area of OSH and then set a new campaign for NIQAB.
“OSH’s fourth woman wears NIQAB, and their numbers are increasing every day,” Magitowa claimed during the Congress session.
The Magitova campaign targeted a man’s beard, which is widely seen as a sign of religious conservatism. She called for the government and parliament to prohibit Nikabu and long beards, and called them a “security” threat.
“Hijab is obligatory (for Muslim women), but not Nikabu is not,” said the state supported by the state.
However, critics have warned that the ban will alleviate women wearing Nikab and isolate them.
A 38 -year -old housewife wearing NIQAB said that the ban will complicate her life on the RFE/RL Kyrgyz service.
The two mother said on the condition of anonymous, and said they had begun NIQAB at the request of their husband working in Russia when they got married six years ago.
“I’m banned now and I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what to say when my husband returns home,” said a woman living in the southern town of Kara Sue.
“I’ve read about the ban on the Internet, so I’m trying to avoid leaving the house anymore.
By name of security
Other central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, are banned from schools, offices and government buildings.
Tajikistan, torque menistan, and Uzbekistan police forced them to attack their faces on the street and bazaar to conclude men wearing long beards.
Islamic outward signs are often used under the name of maintaining security and supporting traditional value.
Central Asian authorities argue that their national outfit meets the requirements of Islamic clothing for women.
Turkmenistan does not officially prohibit hijabs, but demands women wearing torque -men’s national uniforms at work and public events. It has been reported that a woman in a few hijabs has been ordered from the authorities to remove the scarf on the head.
Tajikistan has a daily promotion of traditional Tajik’s clothes for women, referring to Islamic clothes, and accuses Tajik’s costumes.
OSH Datkabek Shabdanbek UULU’s RFE/RL Kyrgyz Service Correspondents have contributed to this report.
