Outrageous prohibitions astonish residents of an Asian country

The authorities in Kyrgyzstan are contemplating a new law to enforce peculiar prohibitions. Men with thick beards and women wearing clothing that hides their face could be fined.

Kyrgyzstan is yet another Central Asian country determined to keep demonstrations of Islamic religiosity in check.

The official reason for imposing restrictions on women veiling their faces and men sporting thick beards is to enable better identification through street surveillance. The adoption of the law was suggested by Supreme Council Deputy Sharunakan Majitova.

"A thick beard can complicate the identification of its wearer. Our neighbor, Uzbekistan, has made it illegal to wear burqas in public places. We need a similar law. Hiding one's face and identity poses a risk to society. We need to implement measures at the government level, " Majitova argued. The proposed law outlines a fine of $22 for wearing a beard, niqab, or burqa, with repeat offenders facing a $44 fine.

The proposed initiative is not universally accepted among the country's inhabitants. The reasons for men to grow beards often hold both religious and aesthetic importance. "I didn't grow a beard to hide my face, but because it's attractive, fashionable, and modern," expressed 35-year-old Dolkunzhan Ilachunov, as quoted by local media. "A beard doesn't grow upwards, but downwards. It can, at most, cover my belly and hide my weight. But my eyes, nose, and mouth are always visible. (...) I won't shave my beard even if I have to pay a fine," he declared.

Radio Liberty reported that both the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan and the State Commission for Religious Affairs are against Majitova's bill. The religious institutions maintain that there are no issues currently surrounding citizen identification in the country.