Tunisia bans niqab in government buildings

 

Tunisian Prime Minister Youssef Chahed has banned the wearing of the niqab, which covers the entire face apart from the eyes, in government offices, citing security reasons.

The order comes after three suicide bombings in the capital, Tunis, in the space of a week.

The niqab is worn by some Muslim women as an interpretation of modest dress and as a symbol of religious faith.

Tunisia’s long-time ruler Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali banned the niqab and hijab in state buildings, but they made a return after he was ousted in 2011.

Witnesses said one of the bombers was disguised in a niqab. The Interior Ministry denied this and said the mastermind of the bombings blew himself up on Tuesday to evade capture.

The attack was the third such incident within a week and came at the peak of tourist season as Tunisia prepared for an autumn parliamentary election. ISIS known as ISIL or Daesh in the Arab world claimed responsibility for all three attacks.

 

Via Al Jazeera