In an interview with Kabar, he stated that all religious matters are now under the authority of the Muftiate and the Council of Ulema, not the state. Japarov emphasized that face coverings like niqab and paranja are banned by the Muftiate’s fatwa, and citizens are expected to follow it.
“Scarves that leave the face visible are part of our tradition,” he said. “What matters is that the face remains open.”
He also criticized law enforcement for overstepping, saying: “Don’t bother women wearing traditional scarves with visible faces — it’s their personal choice.”
