The Ministry of Education and Youth Policy of the Vladimir Oblast in Russia has prohibited wearing attire and accessories that signify religious affiliation (including hijabs, niqabs, etc.) in public schools. Meduza reports that this order was issued on October 25, 2024.
The ministry clarified on its social media page on VKontakte that the ban on hijabs and niqabs is due to Russia’s status as a secular country, where the church is separate from the state, including the sphere of secular education, Vedomosti reports, noting that Vladimir became the first region in Russia to implement a permanent ban on wearing hijabs and niqabs in schools.
In May 2024, State Duma (Russia’s lower chamber of parliament) Deputy Speaker Vyacheslav Davankov introduced a bill permitting educational institutions to prohibit religious attire that partially or fully covers the face.
This proposal faced criticism from Chechen authorities. State Duma member Adam Delimkhanov stated that the Chechen government "does not approve" of niqabs that cover the face, but regards the hijab as "a religious duty for Muslim women." Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov also opposed the ban.
In June, Alexander Bastrykin, head of Russia’s Investigative Committee, called for an “urgent” ban on niqabs across Russia, citing terrorist acts carried out by “Islamists.” Shortly afterward, the Muftiates of Dagestan and Karachay-Cherkessia issued temporary bans on wearing niqabs in their regions.
