The Ulema Council of Kyrgyzstan issued a statement in connection with a deputy’s initiative to introduce fines for wearing a burqa and a voluminous beard.
As the Spiritual Directorate of the Muslims of Kyrgyzstan (SDMK) noted, awrah is clearly stated in religion.
«Awrah is a part of the body that Muslims are obliged to cover in front of other people. Sharia law allows women to leave their palms, feet and face (from hair to chin) uncovered. The rest is awrah and must be covered with a hijab,» the muftiyat noted.
The clergy reminds that women are not required to wear a niqab (burqa). It is stressed that the hijab is obligatory.
The Ulema Council also clarified that in Islam, a beard is sunnah and must be kept clean and tidy.
«Wearing a beard is not necessary, but is desirable. How to grow it and keep it clean depends on the person. It is unreasonable to restrict people on whether to wear a burqa and a beard or not,» the clergy said.
The problem should be solved by educating the people about the traditions of Islamic clothing and wearing beards, the SDMK commented.
MP Sharapatkan Mazhitova proposes to ban the wearing of clothing that covers the face and a voluminous beard in Kyrgyzstan. The corresponding amendments to the Code of Offences have been submitted for public discussion. The draft law was developed in order to prevent and suppress by government agencies the wearing of a burqa (face covering) and voluminous beards, which limit personal identification in public places. Foreigners and diplomats will not have to shave their face. The ban will not apply to them.
