AhlulBayt News Agency: Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has signed into law a measure prohibiting the wearing of face coverings, including full-face veils, in public spaces.
The law introduces several other restrictions on religious practices and affiliations, according to RT Arabic.
Under the legislation, conducting religious rituals in elderly care homes, prisons, and military units is restricted.
The law also prohibits coercing individuals into religious practices and bans the distribution of religious literature and materials in educational institutions, public spaces, and during door-to-door activities.
Furthermore, it bars the establishment of political parties based on religious affiliations. Violators of these provisions face fines of up to 20,000 Kyrgyzstani soms (approximately $230).
This move follows similar legislation recently enacted in neighboring Tajikistan, where President Emomali Rahmon signed a law banning face coverings.
Kyrgyzstan, a Central Asian nation of over 7 million people, is predominantly Muslim, with about 90% of the population identifying as followers of Islam, primarily Sunni.
The new law reflects ongoing debates in Kyrgyzstan about the role of religion in public life and its intersection with national identity. Proponents argue the legislation aims to preserve the country's secular principles and promote social harmony, while critics contend it infringes on individual freedoms and religious expression.
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