Veil Ban: Why Syria Joins Europe in Barring the Niqab

Banning styles or behavior can backfire with teens and young adults, particularly when the young are confident about holding the higher moral ground. In an effort to preserve its secular culture, Syria is banning university students and teachers from wearing the niqab, or full-face veil. Syria is home to many religious sects, and officials view secular policies as the best approach for protecting minority groups. Adding to the veil’s popularity in Syria are increasing possibility for Syrians to work in gulf nations, strengthened ties with Iran and groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, increasing conservatism, a personal sense of religious superiority, opposition to a rigid government, as well as women embracing a growing religious intellectual movement. Egypt’s courts have prohibited such government bans, but Syrian courts have less authority. Many analysts reject veils, but even more so the bans, suggesting that the latter invites extremism. – YaleGlobal