While Muslims in England agitate for it and some even now come out against it, Egypt’s religion minister insists, correctly, that it is not required by Islamic law. “Egypt’s minister of religion rejects the veil,” by Loveday Morris in the Telegraph, with thanks to all who sent this in:
The Egyptian government is embroiled in an angry dispute with conservative Muslims after trying to clamp down on women who cover their faces with a veil.
The controversy comes after the minister of religious endowments, Hamdi Zaqzuq, expelled an official from a meeting after she refused to remove her niqab, a veil that leaves only the eyes exposed.
“I totally reject the niqab,” said Mr Zaqzuq. “No religious counsellor needs to wear it, since it is not required by Islamic law.”