Kazakhstan Prohibits Face Coverings in Public Spaces

• Medical, sporting, and cultural exemptions allowed.
• The law does not specifically refer to religion or types of religious attire.
• Tokayev called the legislation an opportunity to honor ethnic identity.

On Monday, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev enacted a law that bans face-covering clothing in public spaces, aligning with similar trends in various Central Asian nations aimed at regulating Islamic dress.

This new legislation prohibits attire that “hinders facial recognition” in public, but makes exceptions for medical reasons, severe weather, and during sports or cultural events.

Although part of a broader set of amendments signed into law that day, the law does not specifically mention religion or any types of religious clothing.

Tokayev previously expressed that this legislation offers a chance to celebrate Kazakhstan’s ethnic identity, particularly important in a predominantly Muslim country with a Soviet history.

“Instead of hiding behind face-covering black garb, it’s far more beneficial to wear clothing that reflects our national style,” he was reported saying earlier this year.

“Our traditional attire powerfully showcases our ethnic identity, and we should promote it widely.”

Other Central Asian nations have also implemented similar regulations in recent years. In Kyrgyzstan, law enforcement has conducted patrols to uphold their prohibition on the niqab, while in Uzbekistan, violating the niqab rule can incur a fine of over $250.

Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rakhmon has instituted a ban on clothing in public that is deemed “foreign to national culture.”