Malawi govt rules out complete hijab pictures on driving licences

Government has ruled out it would implement a full head gear or hijab for Muslim women when posing for driving licence pictures.

Director of Road Traffic Jack Manong’a was commenting on some allegations that Muslim are denied the religious freedom to have their driving licence pictures whilst in full hijab.

“They are allowed to have the pictures whilst in hijab but their faces and eyes must not be hidden,” said Manong’a.

He said the government has a standard rule on the matter which is followed at Immigration Department during the issuance of passports.

“What I know is that the Muslim women are not supposed to show their hair but they can show their eyes and face,” he said.

A Muslim woman she has been denied a driving licence for three years just because she refused to remove her hijab when she was to be photographed for her driving licence

. Spokesperson for the Muslim Association of Malawi said Muslim women can slightly remove the hijab to show their eyes and face for a driving licence picture.