Astrakhan public figures assess ban on wearing Muslim religious clothing

Restrictions on wearing religious clothing and attributes are unconstitutional, Muslim Yunusov, a religious figure, believes. The issue of banning Muslim women from wearing religious clothing is being discussed in the society, but is not a subject of acute conflict, Oleg Shein, an MP of the Astrakhan Regional Duma, has noted. Such bans can lead to sabotage and even protests, Mikhail Doliev, a political analyst, has added.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that that on July 25, the Muslim clergy of the Astrakhan Region recommended local residents not to wear niqabs in public places.

Muslim Yunusov, a religious figure and legal expert, has treated the restrictions imposed on people in matters of wearing religious clothing and attributes as unconstitutional. According to his version, from the viewpoint of Islam, believers cannot be obliged to strictly observe religious rites in wearing clothing, and, at the same time, they cannot be limited in performing these rites.

In Islam, it is education that protects against ignorance and, accordingly, from extremism as a manifestation of this ignorance, Muslim Yunusov is sure. He has called on Muslims to be open so that their actions and thoughts are understandable to the surrounding societies.

Mikhail Doliev, a political analyst, has noted that in recent years he had increasingly noticed women in Astrakhan "who are in black robes from head to toe, covering everything except their eyes." He has added that in Russia "not only women are not free, but the society as a whole."

According to his story, some Muslims will "experience cognitive dissonance" after the ban on niqabs: yesterday, they encouraged zealous service to religion; and today they demand to tear niqabs off the women.

"I am afraid that such initiatives will only lead to silent sabotage of the ban, and maybe even to protests," Mikhail Doliev has concluded, stating that in order to combat extremism, instead of restrictions on wearing religious clothing, it is necessary to develop educational programmes and "stop encouraging religions of all confessions."