EGYPT: Cairo University Professors Banned from Wearing Niqab in Classroom

Cairo University has prohibited its academic staff from wearing niqab inside the classrooms, a report by Youm 7 said on Tuesday.  Niqab is a face veil that covers all but eyes of the wearer.The Tuesday decision which was issued at the heel of the academic year was announced by by Cairo University Chairperson, Gaber Gad, who says “It is not permissible for female members of the teaching staff and their assistants in all university colleges and institutes to give theoretical or practical lectures or attend laboratory or practical training while wearing the niqab
.”The university also hope that by disallowing the wearing of niqab, there will be flexible communication decision between lecturers and students.The ban of niqab at the Cairo University is the first of its kind in an Egyptian Universities. The decision  is expected to stir controversy among academic staff in Cairo and the rest of the universities across the country. This is because in Egypt, most women prefer to wear veils over their head in public in accordance to their religion beliefs.