Chad bans Muslim face covering citing security concerns

N'DJAMENA, Chad

Chad's government banned the Muslim face covering (niqab) across the country on Thursday, three days after 33 people were killed in suicide bombings that were blamed on Boko Haram.

Chad's Prime Minister Kalzeube Pahimi Deubet announced the ban, which comes on the first day of the Islamic month of Ramadan, during a meeting with the country’s top religious leaders.

Deubet strongly defended the ban saying the niqab needed to be banned to prevent further terrorist attacks. The PM also said that selling accessories related with niqab has also been banned.

On Monday at least 33 people were killed following suicide attacks in N'djamena and President Idriss Deby declared three days of national mourning beginning Wednesday in honor of the victims.

N'DJAMENA, Chad

Chad's government banned the Muslim face covering (niqab) across the country on Thursday, three days after 33 people were killed in suicide bombings that were blamed on Boko Haram.

Chad's Prime Minister Kalzeube Pahimi Deubet announced the ban, which comes on the first day of the Islamic month of Ramadan, during a meeting with the country’s top religious leaders.

Deubet strongly defended the ban saying the niqab needed to be banned to prevent further terrorist attacks. The PM also said that selling accessories related with niqab has also been banned.

On Monday at least 33 people were killed following suicide attacks in N'djamena and President Idriss Deby declared three days of national mourning beginning Wednesday in honor of the victims.