23:58, 9 July 2024

North-Ossetian Muftiate supports banning niqabs

Ibragim Dzagurov. Photo: http://islamosetia.ru/2023/03/24/zamestitel-muftiya-ibragim-dzagurov-v-pryamom-efire-natsionalnogo-televideniya-rasskazal-o-svyashhennom-mesyatse-ramadan/

The Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM or Muftiate) of North Ossetia recommends that believers refuse to wear niqabs, the republic’s Deputy Mufti has stated, noting that a complete ban on niqabs would be contrary to the Russian laws.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that a temporary ban on wearing niqabs had been introduced in Dagestan; its Muftiate announced it on July 3. The next day, the SAM of Karachay-Cherkessia also introduced a temporary ban on wearing niqabs in the republic. On July 7, the Muftiate of Kabardino-Balkaria stated, citing the opinions of Islamic scholars, that wearing niqabs is a custom and not an obligation of Muslim women.

Wearing niqabs and paranjas in modern conditions harms Muslims and threatens discord in interreligious and interethnic relations, the Muslims’ Coordination Centre of Northern Caucasus stated on July 3.

The Main SAM of North Ossetia has recommended to refuse from wearing niqabs, Ibragim Dzagurov, the republic’s Deputy Mufti, told the TASS Agency. He has noted that it’s impossible to introduce a complete ban on wearing niqabs according to the law on the freedom of conscience and religious associations.

Let us remind you that the fatwa issued by the Dagestani SAM on the ban on niqabs is not mandatory; only those for whom the Muftiate is an authority will follow it; and these are not all the residents of the republic, religious scholars have pointed out.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on July 8, 2024 at 07:06 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Source: Caucasian Knot