Kazakhstan Bans Face-Covering Attire (Niqab) in Public

In a move that is likely to fuel further debate about religious freedoms and state secularism in Muslim-majority regions, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Monday signed into law a bill banning face-covering garments in public spaces.

According to international news reports, the new legislation aims to prohibit attire that obstructs facial identification, effectively targeting the niqab, a form of Islamic dress worn by some Muslim women that covers the face except for the eyes.

The signed bill clearly states that any clothing “interfering with facial recognition” will be banned in all public spaces across the country, including streets, government offices, public transportation, and educational institutions.

The law does not explicitly mention the niqab or other religious garments by name, but its language and timing leave little doubt about its intent.

Related: Countries with Hijab Bans: Top 5 Nations Implementing Restrictions

Growing Restrictions Across Central Asia

Kazakhstan’s decision aligns it with several of its regional neighbors that have already implemented similar restrictions on Islamic dress, reflecting a broader trend of state-led secularization across Central Asia, a region with deep Islamic cultural roots but a legacy of Soviet-style governance.

In 2024, Tajikistan, another Muslim-majority nation, formally banned the hijab, citing the need to protect national identity and prevent the spread of what the government described as “foreign” religious ideologies. The law was widely criticized by human rights organizations and Muslim advocacy groups as discriminatory and regressive.

Earlier, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan also introduced various restrictions on Islamic garments, either through direct legal bans or by enforcing unwritten rules that effectively discouraged public expressions of Islamic identity, especially among women.

Egypt Follows Suit in Educational Institutions

Beyond Central Asia, the Egyptian Ministry of Education also announced a ban this year on the niqab in schools, citing the need for open communication and classroom visibility.

While Egyptian female students are still allowed to wear the hijab, officials clarified that the niqab, which conceals the entire face, would no longer be permitted in educational institutions. The ministry emphasized that the decision was made to foster a more inclusive and interactive learning environment — an explanation that failed to appease many in the country’s conservative religious circles.

The Official Justification: Security and Identification

Kazakh authorities have justified the new law by citing security concerns and the practical need for facial recognition in public and official spaces. Supporters argue that the law will enhance public safety, streamline identification procedures, and strengthen national cohesion.

President Tokayev, who has promoted a model of moderate secularism since coming to power in 2019, has previously spoken about the importance of maintaining Kazakhstan’s secular constitution, which prohibits the dominance of any particular religion in public life.

Officials say the law is not intended to discriminate against any faith but to maintain a “modern, civic-oriented public sphere” where facial identification is essential for administration, law enforcement, and public services.

Criticism and Concerns from Muslim Communities

Nevertheless, the new law has sparked sharp criticism from religious leaders, civil rights advocates, and members of Kazakhstan’s own Muslim population, who see it as part of a broader pattern of state interference in religious life.

While Kazakhstan officially recognizes Islam as one of the country’s traditional religions — nearly 70% of its population is Muslim — the government maintains tight control over religious institutions and expression. Imams are often state-certified, and Islamic education is strictly regulated.

“This is yet another attempt to suppress Islamic identity under the guise of public order,” said one local scholar who requested anonymity. “Women who choose to wear the niqab do so out of personal conviction. Banning it only alienates them further.”

International observers have also expressed concern that Kazakhstan’s actions could violate basic rights to freedom of religion and personal expression, enshrined in international human rights treaties to which the country is a signatory.

A Broader Global Trend?

Kazakhstan’s niqab ban comes amid a growing global debate over Islamic dress in secular states. Countries such as France, Belgium, Austria, and Denmark have all implemented similar bans in recent years, often citing security concerns, women’s rights, or the defense of secular values.

Critics, however, argue that such policies disproportionately target Muslim women and contribute to rising Islamophobia, rather than promoting genuine integration or equality.

In the case of Kazakhstan — a Muslim-majority country with a Soviet-secular legacy — the tension is especially sharp. On one hand, the state wants to maintain its vision of civic neutrality; on the other, it risks alienating practicing Muslims who feel that their religious obligations are being criminalized.

The Kazakh government has not yet clarified how the new law will be enforced or what penalties violators may face. Nor has it addressed the status of foreign tourists or residents who wear the niqab or similar coverings.

As the law takes effect, it is likely to draw closer scrutiny from rights organizations, Muslim advocacy groups, and global observers watching how Muslim-majority governments manage the balance between secularism, security, and religious freedom.

For now, Kazakhstan joins a growing list of nations where Islamic identity — especially when expressed by women through clothing — has become a contested frontier in the battle over modernity, faith, and state power.