Kazakhstan bans face coverings as it urges women to embrace ‘national style’

A new law in Kazakhstan bans women from covering their faces in public

On Monday (June 30), President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a bill prohibiting clothing that "interferes with facial recognition" in public spaces.

Clothing that obscures the face is now only allowed for medical reasons, during adverse weather, and at sporting or cultural events in the majority Muslim country.

The law now states: “Wearing items of clothing in public places that impede facial recognition is prohibited, except in cases where this is necessary to comply with the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan, fulfil official duties, or for medical, civil defence, weather-related or event-specific purposes,” per the Independent.

President Tokayev claims that the ban is an opportunity for the citizens of Kazakhstan to celebrate their ethnic identity.

“Rather than wearing face-concealing black robes, it's much better to wear clothes in the national style," he told Kazakh media.

However, not all Kazakhs are in favour of the new restrictions.

Previous restrictions already caused quite the outrage among Kazakhs of the Muslim faith when the Tokayev government banned headscarves from educational institutions in 2023, claiming the “requirements for school uniform prohibit the wearing of the hijab”.

At least 150 girls dropped out of school in protest of the decision.

It is believed that 70 per cent of Kazakhstan's population practices Islam, with Christianity the second most practised religion.

The latest clothing restrictions follow similar bans by other Central Asian countries.

Neighbouring Kyrgyzstan passed a law earlier this year prohibiting face veils from public places.

Police in Kyrgyzstan have set out street patrols and raids to help enforce the ban on the niqab, a face veil worn by some Muslim women, according to local media, per the Independent.

Uzbekistan has similar clothing restrictions in place. They have banned burqas and veils in public places, and if anyone is caught violating this ban, a fine of over $250 is imposed. The country justifies the ban by citing concerns and the promotion of secularism in the country.

Tajikistan has passed a similar law in 2023, prohibiting wearing clothing that "contradicts national culture and traditions”.