Uzbekistan bans wearing burqas in public
Uzbekistan has banned wearing burqas in public and promoting polygamy. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed the document into law.
Why has the country imposed the new law? The country’s president has signed a law that prohibits wearing burqas in public. According to the Ministry of Justice of Uzbekistan, the move is aimed at maintaining public order. For example, this is necessary for the correct work of a new information security system called Safe City.
From now on any person wearing clothes that conceal his or her face and prevent the person’s identity from being disclosed will be charged with $405 to $810 in fines.
«The law allows wearing headdresses that cover a face due to medical reasons, cultural or sport requirements during events or professional purposes,» the agency said in a statement.
What else does the law prohibit? The document also prohibits promoting polygamy. For example, conducting a religious marital ritual between people who aren’t spouses by law will be punished with a fine from $810 to $1,620. Encouragement and propaganda of polygamy will also be punished with a fine of the same size or 15 days in jail.
What is going on in Kazakhstan? The government in Kazakhstan also planned to ban wearing burqas and short pants in public. At the time, Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva commented on the MP’s initiative to revise the country’s legislation on religion. She said that the ministry is ready to strengthen some rules but consultations with theologists and society are needed.
Kazakhstan’s parliament discussed religious issues on three occasions. In September MP Rinat Zaitov said the country’s authorities must protect all religions in Kazakhstan. On October 4, Yermurat Bapi another MP, warned against risks associated with non-traditional branches of Islam and asked whether the government planned to revise the law on religious activities. Senator Nurtore Zhussip also said that branches of Islam can pose threats to Kazakhstanis. He suggested improving the national legislation in this sphere.
The issue of wearing burqas in schools was even addressed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. While speaking to the country’s teachers he highlighted that Kazakhstan is a secular country and this principle must be applied in every sphere including education. The president underlined that children have the right to make their own choice when they are adults and are more informed on the issue.
