The niqab, a face veil with an eye opening, is not banned in Russia on a national level. However, there have been instances of local bans in certain regions. In 2024, Islamic authorities in Dagestan, a predominantly Muslim region in the North Caucasus, temporarily banned women from wearing the niqab after a series of deadly attacks. This ban was presented as a security measure.
In 2015, Russia's Supreme Court upheld a ban on wearing the hijab in schools imposed by local authorities in the Stavropol region. While there isn't a nationwide ban on the niqab, local authorities have the power to implement restrictions based on security concerns or other justifications.
It's important to note that the legal landscape surrounding Islamic veiling in Russia is complex and can vary significantly between regions. While the wearing of a niqab may be legal in some areas, individuals should be aware of local regulations and potentially face restrictions based on the specific region they are visiting or residing in.
