Niqab issue: ACJU tells Muslim women to exercise caution

Despite the Police Department having clarified that the ban on the face veil was lifted with the removal of Emergency, the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama ( ACJU) said yesterday that it stands by earlier advice to the community to exercise caution.

In a letter to Muslim Religious Affairs Minister M. H. A. Haleem, Police Spokesman Ajith Rohana has clarified that the law pertaining to the niqab, burka and face cover was implemented under Emergency and is no longer valid.

However, the ACJU, the apex religious body of Islamic theologians, said yesterday that it stood by its earlier communication to the community. It had said: “The ACJU requests especially the Muslim women to avoid possible inconveniences that may be caused by attiring the face cover in public and to act in a responsible and serious manner considering the present situation.”

The ACJU already knew the regulations no longer applied because it has sought the advice of its lawyers, said Moulavi Arqam Nooramith, ACJU Secretary for Youth Affairs. But its position remains the same and is also conveyed to those who contact it directly for guidance.

In its statement on September 1, 2019, the ACJU--which met on Friday to reassess its stand-said that wearing a dress code of one’s choice is a fundamental human right of every man and woman on earth. Sri Lanka’s constitution also protects these rights.

“Followed by the deplorable incident of April 21, an unusual situation prevailed in the country and the Emergency law was imposed by the Government,” it said. “Followed by this, a temporary ban of face cover or niqab was too imposed during the time of the Emergency law. Though the Emergency law was lifted on August 23, a Special Gazette has been issued enabling the deployment of armed forces to maintain public order in the country. Ever since the incident, it seems that a fear psychosis among the people is still not completely detached.”

“In this current situation, there seems to be possibilities that the Muslim women who attire the face cover publicly may face inconveniences,” it said. "So, at this uncertain political situation, it is our responsibility to ensure all possible means to avoid paving the way to racial elements.”