Islamic scholars dispute on aim of banning niqabs in Dagestan and KChR

The niqab problem is far-fetched for Russia, but the ban thereof introduced in Dagestan and the Karachay-Cherkessian Republic (KChR) will be followed by attacks on hijabs and other attributes of Islam, the Islamic scholars interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" are sure. The niqab debate was a test of the public's reaction to a sensitive issue, but it was unlikely to be followed by a hijab ban, their colleague has objected.

The KChR's Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM or Muftiate) has banned wearing niqabs "until threats are eliminated and a new theological conclusion is made." On July 3, the Dagestani SAM also announced the introduction of a ban on wearing niqabs.

The KChR's SAM has no sufficient grounds for issuing a niqab-banning fatwa, Ruslan Aisin*, a political analyst and Islamic scholar, has stated.

"According to the Shafi'i Mazkhab (Madhhab) (a theological school, or doctrine, – note of the "Caucasian Knot"), women must cover their faces, especially when there is a threat according to Islamic norms," he has stated, adding that such a "decree has no legal value, it serves just a moral justification" for subsequent repressive actions.

The attack on niqabs is "a part of a strategy for suppressing Islamic activeness and infrastructure in order to limit wearing hijabs in public places," Mr Aisin* believes.

In the opinion of Rinat Mukhametov, a political analyst and Islamic scholar, this is a political technology campaign designed to divert attention from Russian problems and special services' failures in Dagestan and at the Crocus City Hall, so that everyone would discuss niqabs and not terror acts. He predicts tougher measures against Muslims and religious and ethnic minorities in the future.

In his opinion, niqab-banning campaigns are aimed at banning wearing hijabs.

Mr Mukhametov has pointed to other discriminatory trends, linking them generally with the campaign aiming to restrict Muslims' rights in the country. "Now, they are already calling to ban the so-called 'Wahhabi' beards'," he has added.

*Included by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) into the register of foreign agents.