Yesterday, news circled social media about the Egyptian government issuing a decision banning female students from wearing niqab, a veil that covers the face worn by Muslim women, in Egyptian schools.
On September 11, the Education Minister, Reda Hegazy, announced the statement. She added that female students would still be free to wear the headscarf of their choice but emphasized that it should not hide their faces.
He added that the choice should be made without any outside pressure and that the child’s guardian should be aware of it.
The decision will take effect at the start of the next academic year, which is set to commence on Saturday, September 30.
On social media, many responded to the decision to outlaw the niqab in Egyptian schools. Some voiced their opposition, while others showed support.
For many years, there has been a heated argument in Egypt regarding wearing the niqab in classrooms.
Many public and private entities in Egypt have already made wearing the niqab prohibited.
Since 2015, Cairo University has prohibited faculty members from donning facial coverings; in 2020, an Egyptian court upheld this policy.
