Allowed in Canada ...But NOT IN EGYPT - Niqab-wearing banned during voting by law.

Allowed in Canada ...But NOT IN EGYPT - Niqab-wearing banned during voting by law. AlAhram.

Voters and candidates who refuse to prove their identity by removing the face veil will be barred from participating in the upcoming vote, says HEC sposkesperson.

Spokesperson to the Higher Elections Committee (HEC) Omar Marawan has said the law stipulates that all niqab-wearing women will only cast ballots if they remove the face veil while voting, for identity verification purposes. Otherwise they will be barred.

The first round of the elections is expected to take place inside Egypt on 18-19 October in 14 governorates (Giza, Fayoum, Beni Suef, Minya, Assiut, New Valley, Sohag, Qena, Luxor and Aswan).

Marawan also said that the vote will start at 9am and end at 9pm, and that there will be a one-hour break starting at 2:30pm.

He also announced that permits will be granted for more than 60 foreign embassies who asked to observe the upcoming elections. Read the full story here.

"Religion does not require women to veil their hands, feet and faces or enjoin any special type of veil. Tribal custom must not impose itself on the free will of the individual."

Amanullah Khan - King of Afghanistan (1919-1929).

The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, head of Al-Azhar, the highest seat of learning in the Sunni world.“The niqab is a tradition and has nothing to do with Islam,” said Sheikh Tantawi, vowing to ban it in Al-Azhar schools.After the girl complied he insisted she should not wear it any more.“I tell you again that the niqab has nothing to do with Islam and it is only a mere custom. I understand the religion better than you and your parents.” The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar imam vowed to issue a ban against the face-veil in all schools linked to Al-Azhar.“Source