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Kazakhstan Approves Ban on Niqab in Public Places Government Cites Security Risk and Rising Radicalisation Concerns

In a controversial move, Kazakhstan’s Parliament passes legislation targeting face-covering clothing like the niqab, sparking international debate over religious freedom and national security.

Published

7 months ago

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Women in traditional Islamic dress walk through central Astana — Kazakhstan’s new ban on face coverings ignites a debate on faith, freedom, and fear.
Women in traditional Islamic dress walk through central Astana — Kazakhstan’s new ban on face coverings ignites a debate on faith, freedom, and fear.

In a decision that’s sending shockwaves across Central Asia and beyond, Kazakhstan has moved to ban the niqab and all forms of face-covering clothing in public spaces. The legislation, recently passed by the country’s Parliament, now awaits the signature of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for final approval.

Officials behind the move cite growing national security concerns and rising radicalisation as key motivators, claiming the ban is necessary to preserve public safety in an era of mounting extremism. According to local media reports and Russia Today, lawmakers emphasized that wearing a niqab is not mandatory in Islam, making the regulation a preventive—not religious—measure.

This is about protecting public order,” one member of Parliament was quoted as saying. “We are not attacking religion, but responding to growing threats from extremist ideologies that often hide behind religious symbols.

Religious Rights vs. Security: A Global Dilemma

The niqab—a full-face veil traditionally worn by some Muslim women—is at the center of an ongoing global debate. While Islamic scholars remain divided on whether the niqab is obligatory, countries across Europe, including France, Austria, and Belgium, have previously implemented similar bans in the name of secularism or public safety.

Now, Kazakhstan becomes one of the first major Muslim-majority nations in Central Asia to take such a step. Critics argue the move may infringe upon individual freedoms, while supporters claim it’s a necessary firewall against rising extremism in the region.

Kazakhstan, a country known for its multiethnic and multi-religious population, has walked a tightrope between religious freedom and the growing pressures of regional security. In recent years, government officials have ramped up efforts to monitor radical Islamist networks, particularly in border areas influenced by conflicts in Afghanistan and the Middle East.

What’s Next?

The bill has now been sent to President Tokayev, who is expected to approve it in the coming days. If signed into law, the ban will apply to all public spaces, including markets, educational institutions, public transport, and government buildings.

The government has not yet announced specific penalties for violations but suggested that implementation would begin with “awareness campaigns” and community outreach, followed by fines or legal consequences for repeat offenders.

The move raises critical questions:

  • Where does one draw the line between religious expression and national security?
  • How will this affect Muslim women in Kazakhstan?
  • And will other Muslim-majority nations follow suit?

As international human rights groups and Islamic scholars weigh in, all eyes are now on Astana, where a single signature could set a precedent for future religion-and-security policies across the Muslim world.

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Religion

No other public message from the Dalai Lama: His Holiness breaks silence on successor, stirs debate with bold spiritual vow

On his 90th birthday, the Dalai Lama affirms that the sacred institution will continue, but warns—“No one else has any such authority”… sparking global intrigue over his successor and China’s role.

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7 months ago

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July 2, 2025

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Dalai Lama Successor Confirmed: “No Other Public Message” on Reincarnation
Monks gather in Dharamshala as the Dalai Lama confirms that the institution of his reincarnation will continue, setting the stage for a future successor beyond China’s control.

In a monumental announcement on the occasion of his 90th birthday according to the Tibetan lunar calendar, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has ended months of speculation and affirmed that the sacred institution of the Dalai Lama will continue after his passing. Delivered from his spiritual seat in Dharamshala, India, the revered Tibetan leader’s video message resonated far beyond the Himalayan town, with followers and observers across the world hanging onto every word.

In accordance with all these requests, I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue, His Holiness declared.

He added that the process of selecting his reincarnation—widely anticipated due to both religious tradition and geopolitical tensions—will be solely handled by the Gaden Phodrang Foundation, the spiritual body he established in 2015.

No one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter, he warned, sending a clear message to Beijing.

“No other public message from His Holiness”

At a press conference following the video, Samdhong Rinpoche, a close aide to the Dalai Lama, was asked by the BBC whether the world should expect more public messages on this deeply sensitive subject. His response was decisive:

Whenever the time comes, it will be internal and there will be no other public message from His Holiness on this matter.

This revelation, coupled with the Dalai Lama’s earlier comments in his book Voice for the Voiceless, has sparked worldwide interest. In the book, he hinted that his successor may be born outside China, a statement that appears to have now taken clearer shape.

“An earnest request” from Tibetans worldwide

Penpa Tsering, the Sikyong (President) of the Tibetan government-in-exile, shared that the global Tibetan community had made “an earnest request with single-minded devotion” for the continuation of the Dalai Lama’s spiritual leadership.

His Holiness has shown infinite compassion and finally agreed to accept our appeal on this special occasion, Tsering added, referencing the unanimous resolution passed by the 15th Tibetan Religious Conference.

Tradition vs. Politics: A Spiritual Line in the Sand

According to Tibetan Buddhist tradition, a Dalai Lama is reincarnated, and spiritual authorities recognize the new child by identifying signs that indicate he harbors the soul of his predecessor. The current Tenzin Gyatso, born Lhamo Dhondup in 1935, was recognized at the age of two.

Yet, China’s position on the matter remains tense. Ahead of the announcement, Chinese state media emphasized that reincarnations should be governed by historical procedures such as the “golden urn” lot-drawing system introduced in 1792, and accused the Dalai Lama of “politicizing” the process.

The Global Times claimed, His intention remains the same — to manipulate the reincarnation process for his own purposes.

Tibetans and their allies argue the opposite—that China seeks to politically control and install a compliant successor.

A Legacy of Exile and Nonviolence

The Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959, after a failed uprising against Chinese rule, disguising himself as a soldier and trekking across the Himalayas. He has lived in India ever since, where he was granted asylum and has continued his spiritual mission of nonviolence and compassion. In 1989, he received the Nobel Peace Prize for his peaceful efforts to preserve Tibetan identity.

Still describing himself humbly as “a simple Buddhist monk,” the Dalai Lama remains the most significant spiritual and political symbol of Tibetan Buddhism.

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