The veil is not a monolith, but a shifting map of identity

Cultures · Published 1 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: From mandatory laws in Iran to state-sponsored bans in Central Asia, the Islamic veil functions as a complex site of contestation. It is simultaneously a religious requirement, a cultural marker, a tool for political resistance, and a target for security services seeking to identify faces in public.

The practice of veiling varies wildly across geography and governance. In the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Taliban-led Afghanistan, the hijab is mandatory. Conversely, several Muslim-majority nations have moved to restrict it; Tajikistan banned the hijab entirely on June 20, 2024, while countries like Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan have restricted its use in public institutions. Critics often argue these bans are framed as 'upholding traditional values,' though they frequently stem from security services' desires to identify individuals in public spaces.

In many Western nations, the debate centers on face-covering garments like the niqab or burqa rather than the hijab itself. France and Belgium have passed laws banning all face coverings that conceal the face. Globally, 18 states—including Italy, Denmark, and Switzerland—have banned the burqa. In some contexts, these bans are reactive to security concerns; for instance, Cameroon and Chad implemented bans following suicide bombings in 2015, with Chadian officials explicitly labeling the burqa as 'camouflage.'

Historically, the veil has been a barometer for political shifts. In Egypt, the hijab was less popular among educated women in the early 20th century until feminist Huda Sha'arawi famously removed her veil in 1923 to signal emancipation. The veil largely disappeared by 1958 but returned significantly after the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Interestingly, while some view unveiling as a move toward freedom, others, like Malak Hifni Nasif, argued that early 20th-century unveiling was often an imposition of colonial narratives rather than a grassroots desire for independence.

The veil also serves as a tool of resistance and national identity. During the French occupation of Morocco in the 1910s, women adopted the jellāba—a hooded robe—to cover their hair and faces as a sign of national resistance. It was more practical for working outside the home than traditional wraps. This highlights that veiling is rarely just about religious piety; it is often a sophisticated negotiation between personal expression, cultural heritage, and the prevailing political winds of the era.

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