Kyrgyzstan, a predominantly Muslim nation in Central Asia, has sparked international debate after enacting a controversial law banning women from wearing full-body niqabs in public. The move, which came into effect in January 2025, has received strong backing from the country's official Muslim authority, the Muftiyat of Kyrgyzstan, and is being framed as a public safety measure.
According to Daily Mail, the law imposes a fine of 20,000 Som (£179) on women who wear the niqab—a garment that covers the entire body, leaving only the eyes visible. Officials argue the attire could be used by 'attackers in disguise' and is viewed as 'alien' to Kyrgyz cultural norms.
