Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a law to ban people from wearing clothing that covers their faces in public, joining a list of central asian, Muslim-dominated countries to restrict forms of Islamic dress. The law says clothing that “interferes with facial recognition” will be banned in public, with exemptions for medical purposes, in adverse weather conditions and at sporting and cultural events.

However, the legislation does not mention any particular religion or religious dress that the ban has been imposed on. Earlier, Tokayev had hailed the law, saying that it would empower Kazakhstan’s ethnic identity, a majority-Muslim country and former Soviet republic.

“Rather than wearing face-concealing black robes, it’s much better to wear clothes in the national style,” he was quoted by Kazakh media as saying earlier this year. “Our national clothes vividly emphasise our ethnic identity, so we need to popularise them comprehensively,” added Tokayev.

How have face coverings become contentious?

Although the face ban has been seen as a progressive step by the government in Kazakhstan, a case in 2023 suggests that citizens of the country do not support such bans. That year, more than 150 schoolgirls in the Atyrau region refused to attend classes in protest against a hijab ban.

Similar incidents were reported in other southern regions. Authorities stated that the situation was resolved following consultations with parents; however, uncertainty persisted over the extent of the restrictions, particularly whether they applied to the hijab.

“This principle must be strictly observed in all spheres, including education. School is, first and foremost, an educational institution where children come to gain knowledge. Religious beliefs, on the other hand, are a choice and a private matter for each citizen,” Tokayev said at the time, highlighting Kazakhstan’s secular identity.

Which other countries have banned face coverings?

Several Central Asian countries with Muslim-majority populations have enacted bans on face coverings in recent years, citing security concerns and efforts to preserve secular national identities. Apart from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan have all introduced restrictions targeting garments such as the niqab, burqa, and paranja, which obscure the face.

These measures often apply to public spaces and government institutions, with officials arguing that such attire is foreign to local cultural traditions and could hinder public safety or facial recognition.