Dagestani MIA’s report about terrorist in niqab fits into trend of fighting against religious clothing

A report from the Dagestani Ministry of Internal Affairs about the search for a terrorist hiding his identity using a niqab continues the trend of fighting against religious clothing, Dagestani journalists suggest. They have questioned the reliability of the information from the Dagestan Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), pointing out that such clothing as a niqab, which attracts close attention, is not effective for conspiracy.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on August 9, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Dagestan reported that Ali Demilkhanov, a native of Chechnya, wounded two police inspectors on the road from Khasavyurt to Tlokh. According to the Dagestani MIA’s version, the man moves around in women’s clothing and a niqab. Later, the Dagestani MIA denied the information about the attack on the police, stating that it was about an incident in 2017. Meanwhile, the search for the man in the niqab has been called urgent.

The information reporting that a person could allegedly hide and move around in a niqab for seven years is doubtful, states Milrad Fatullaev, the editor-in-chief of the RIA “Derbent” news agency. Milrad Fatullaev suggests that the wanted person could left the republic a long time ago.

Discussions about banning niqabs and clothing that covers the face will most likely continue, Milrad Fatullaev believes. The current situation may lead to new legislative initiatives and inspections aimed at regulating the wearing of religious clothing. The journalist has noted that the search for a terrorist in a niqab provides grounds for checking everyone who wears religious clothing.

Milrad Fatullaev has also recalled that Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Chechnya, also spoke out on the topic of banning wearing niqabs.

The authorities’ reports that terrorists can hide under niqabs look like fabrications, and the practice itself is very dubious from the point of view of conspiracy, and therefore it does not inspire confidence, states journalist Svetlana Anokhina.

According to her version, any such information always puts additional pressure on those who wear such clothing.