The Russian government has relaxed the citizenship application rules for women who wear hijab.
Authorities have allowed the use of headscarves and headscarves in passport photos, Russia’s Interior Ministry said recently; The new law will take effect on May 5.
“The applicant’s religious beliefs must be present in a picture that does not obscure facial features, unless the applicant’s religious beliefs prevent him from appearing uncovered in front of strangers,” the official document states.
It has been clarified that pictures and scarves covering the applicant’s chin fully or partially will not be accepted. Interestingly, Russian citizens have been allowed to use hijab photos for passport applications, driver’s licenses, work permits and patents, but the new relaxation applies to other nationalities as well.
Commenting on the development, Biysultan Hamzaev, a member of the State Duma Security and Anti-Corruption Committee, told the Russian Parliamentary Gazette that the move was aimed at “allowing Muslims to perform religious rituals” while “ensuring the security of the country.” , “The face, like any other piece of information, is necessary for the video surveillance system to be able to identify a person.”
Historically, during the Soviet era, passport photos were submitted with or without the hijab.
According to Tasnimnews, this change began in 1991 after the collapse of the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics).
As a result, the Russian Supreme Court declared the ban illegal in 2003. The new development has come as a relief to Muslims who have been silent or otherwise.
