CAIRO, October 9 (RIA Novosti) - A leading Egyptian university has banned female students and teaching staff from wearing Islamic veils in lectures when no men are present.
"The High Council of Al Azhar University prohibits female students and lecturers from wearing niqab during lectures at which only women are present," a communique issued by the university administration said.
Egypt's top Islamic cleric Muhammad Sayed Tantawi recently said he was planning to bar female students from wearing niqab at the schools of Al Azhar University, saying the garment has "nothing to do with Islam."
The ban has been widely seen as part of the Egyptian leadership's crackdown on resurgent ultra-conservative elements in the country.
Last Saturday, dozens of female students protested against the planned ban outside the university.
After Tantawi's statement, two opposition lawmakers in Egypt's parliament put forward a request for his dismissal, saying a ban on wearing veils would "undermine our moral foundations and mutual respect," and "discredit Islam."
The request was rejected by the 454-seat lower house, in which the opposition Muslim Brotherhood has just 88 seats.
Most women in Egypt wear Islamic headscarves, which do not hide the face. However, wearing a full veil has become more common in recent years.
