New Kazakh law outlaws face veils, fueling fears of religious repression
New law bans garments that obscure the face in public, echoing Central Asia’s pattern of targeting Muslim practices under secular pretexts
ASTANA, Kazakhstan (MNTV) — In a move drawing concern from civil rights observers, Kazakhstan has enacted a new law banning face-covering clothing in public spaces — a policy widely seen as targeting Muslim women, despite avoiding explicit religious references.
The legislation, signed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, prohibits wearing any garments in public that impede facial recognition. The law carves out exceptions for medical needs, severe weather, civil defense, official duties, and participation in cultural or sporting events.
While the niqab and burqa are not named, the vague language is expected to disproportionately affect Muslim women who wear these garments as part of their religious identity.
According to a report by independent outlet Kursiv Media, the law amends Kazakhstan’s existing code on the prevention of offenses and marks a continuation of Tokayev’s emphasis on preserving what he calls the nation’s “traditional attire” — a term often used by regional governments to sideline Islamic dress and practices as foreign or imported.
The legislation mirrors a growing trend across Central Asia. In Kyrgyzstan, a law passed earlier this year also banned the niqab in public, with officials citing “security concerns” and the need to maintain facial visibility in government spaces. Authorities there followed up with enforcement raids across several cities, leading to heightened fears among Muslim communities.
In Uzbekistan, the government took a similar step in 2023, banning the burqa under the pretext of maintaining public order. Rights advocates argue these measures reflect a deep-rooted legacy of Soviet-era secularism, which continues to view Islamic expression as a threat to state control.
Kazakhstan, where Muslims make up roughly 70% of the population, has long promoted what it calls a “moderate” version of Islam that aligns with state-defined values. But analysts warn that such policies amount to selective repression — where outward expressions of faith are systematically curbed, while the government maintains an image of religious tolerance abroad.
For many Muslim women in the region, the issue is not just about clothing, but about state control over religious identity — and the shrinking space for Islamic expression in public life.
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