Kuwait imposes fine on women driving with Niqab or Burqa


Kuwait: Women wearing niqab while driving to be fined

Dubai: The Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior has announced that a fine for violating the ban on wearing a niqab or burqa while driving under the new traffic law will range between 30 (Dh357) and 50 Kuwaiti dinars.

The reconciliation order amount has been set at 15 dinars, with no imprisonment penalty for the violation.

The ministry clarified that the regulation aims to enhance road safety, as wearing a niqab while driving may obstruct a driver’s vision and concentration, increasing the risk of traffic accidents.

Additionally, officials highlighted a key security concern: The difficulty in identifying drivers through surveillance cameras when a niqab is worn. This challenge has been a longstanding issue in law enforcement and traffic monitoring.

Kuwait has enforced a ban on wearing the niqab or burqa while driving since 1984, the ministry stated on Monday. The clarification came in response to social media discussions regarding whether the practice constitutes a traffic violation.

The ministry explained that the measure was originally implemented for security reasons, as covering the face made it difficult for police to identify drivers. However, it noted that with the presence of policewomen today, verifying a driver’s identity has become more manageable.

Source: Gulf News