Dagestan is on the brink of banning the niqab for religious reasons, as the head mufti of the Russian republic recently declared. The move comes after the regional governor voiced concerns about security following a terrorist attack last month.
The niqab, a garment that covers the entire face except for the eyes, is worn by some Muslim women to adhere to the religious prescription of modest dressing. Chief Mufti Akhmad Abdullayev stated, “The Muftiate of Dagestan will soon issue a fatwa [theological opinion] banning the niqab,” despite potential backlash from certain Russian Muslims.
Valery Fadeev, head of Russia’s Human Rights Council, initially proposed the ban in May following militant attacks. However, Moscow’s chief mufti opposed it on grounds of religious freedom, leading the government to ultimately side with the mufti.
In light of recent attacks, governor Melikov advocated for the niqab ban, citing security risks. He argued that the garment allows individuals to conceal prohibited items, posing a threat in counter-terrorism efforts.
Alyautdinov, the Moscow mufti, has yet to respond to Dagestan’s decision, previously mentioning that the Muslim community would support a niqab ban pending law enforcement evidence linking it to extremism. Stay tuned for updates on this evolving story.