(Algiers) Islamic Algeria has enacted a new law which bans female
public service workers from wearing full-face veils at work. Prime Minister
Ahmed Ouayhia publicized that decision in a letter to ministers and regional
governors in the Muslim-majority country last Thursday. He stated:
“Civil servants need to 'observe the rules and requirements of security and communication within their department'. Public sector workers needed to be able to be 'physically identifiable' while in the workplace.”
Whilst the vast majority of women in the country do not
cover up, those who do are growing in number in which to profess their allegiance
to political Islam. Naturally this hasn’t gone down well with a large number of
pious Islamic males who have openly stated that this is an attack on Islam. Which
is strange as the act of covering up isn’t mentioned anywhere in the Islamic
holy book.
I’m sure the UNHCR will have no problem berating the Algerian
government, like they did the French.
