Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a new law banning the wearing of face-covering clothing in public places, aligning Kazakhstan with other Central Asian countries that have imposed restrictions on Islamic attire. The law prohibits garments that hinder facial recognition, though it allows exceptions for medical needs, extreme weather, and certain events like sports or cultural gatherings.
While the legislation does not directly reference religion or specific religious garments, it is widely seen as part of a broader regional move to limit Islamic dress in public. President Tokayev previously supported the measure, suggesting that traditional Kazakh attire should be embraced over face-concealing garments. He emphasized the importance of promoting national clothing as a way to highlight Kazakhstan’s ethnic and cultural identity.
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Similar laws exist in neighboring countries. Kyrgyzstan has actively enforced a niqab ban through street patrols, Uzbekistan imposes fines exceeding $250 for violations, and Tajikistan has outlawed clothing deemed “alien to national culture.” These developments reflect a regional trend of regulating public appearance in the name of national identity and social cohesion.
