<p>Egyptians are drafting a law that would ban Islamic veils in public institutions. ;The campaign aims to ban the niqab, a full-face veil that leaves only the wearer&rsquo;s eyes exposed. ;</p>
<p>Supporters seek to ban the restrictive garment from all universities, schools, government departments, and hospitals. ;Clerics argue that wearing the niqab shows high moral standards and that to ban the garment would be akin to violating personal freedom. ;</p>
<p>The veil is not a common sight in today&rsquo;s Egypt, but has been worn throughout the country for centuries. ;To assuage those who fear an attack on Islam itself, supporters are quick to point out that wearing a niqab is not an obligation for Muslims. ;</p>
<p>Professor Amna Nossier of Al-Azhar University said earlier this month that Al-Azhar fully supports the campaign because wearing the veil has never been an Islamic requirement. ;Amna notes that the niqab tradition has Jewish roots and first appeared in the Arabian Peninsula long before the birth of Islam. The Koran does not advocate its use. ;</p>
<p>Al-Azhar is celebrated as the world&rsquo;s most prestigious university when it comes to teaching Sunni Islam and training Islamic preachers. The school is also regarded as the top resource for fatwas (Islamic religious rulings).</p>
<p>Several of Egypt&rsquo;s universities have already banned the niqab. Cairo University instituted the ban in 2015 after students argued that the veil impeded communication between students and staff.  ;</p>
<p>The Muslim Brotherhood protests the campaign, calling it &ldquo;an act of freedom suppression.&rdquo; ;</p>
<p>Notable Egyptian feminist and author Nawal El Saadawi says the practice of wearing the full-face veil &ldquo;is not part of Islam nor Egypt.&rdquo; ;</p>
<p>The Ministry of Education has not yet commented on the issue. Meanwhile, some students and teachers continue to wear the veil. ;Mayar, a high school student in Cairo, has been wearing a niqab since age 13 and wants to continue doing so. &ldquo;I have been wearing it for five years. I don&rsquo;t want anyone looking at my face, to prevent any kind of attraction. It&rsquo;s haram [religious prohibited].&rdquo;</p>
<p>Her teacher does not share her opinion. &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t feel any response or action from her. I can&rsquo;t know if she is interested in the class or not,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;I can&#8217;t have any kind of communication with a perfect student because her parents want her face covered.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Egypt&rsquo;s parliament plans to discuss the potential law soon. And while it&rsquo;s doubtful the proposal will pass, there will doubtless be considerable backlash throughout the country, the region, and the rest of the world. ;</p>
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