TUNIS: Tunisia's premier on Friday banned the niqab Muslim face covering for women in government offices, citing security concerns after attacks in the North African country. Prime Minister Youssef Chahed signed a government circular "banning access to public administrations and institutions to anyone with their face covered… for security reasons," his office said. "They have the right to prohibit (the niqab) given the events we are currently witnessing," said Ilhem, a young Tunisian woman. "But in the end, it remains an individual freedom," she added. Lina questioned "why the woman must make sacrifices every time there are security measures to be taken". The Tunisian League for the Defense of Human Rights urged that the measure be only temporary. - AFP

Niqab Burqa