Kazakhstan bans hijab in public spaces amid identity concerns

Kazakhstan has imposed a ban on face-covering attire for women in public places, following the signing of a new law by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

According to the official announcement, the legislation prohibits any clothing that obstructs facial recognition or makes it difficult to identify a person.

The ban is not limited to religious garments; it encompasses all forms of attire that fully cover the face. However, exceptions will be made for medical, climatic, sporting, or cultural reasons.

While the law does not explicitly referene religion or the hijab, analysts believe the legislation primarily targets the niqab, commonly worn by some Muslim women to cover the face.

President Tokayev has previously stated that citizens should avoid wearing "black face-covering garments" and instead embrace traditional Kazakh clothing that reflects the country’s cultural heritage.

This move is seen as part of a broader trend across Central Asia, where countries like Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan have already enacted similar restrictions on Islamic dress codes in the name of national identity and public security.