Decoding the hijab ban in the UK

Maryam Gaeini Pour, in an interview with Mizan, stated: "The recent bans and restrictions imposed by the UK against the hijab, under the pretext of security concerns, are part of a broader Islamophobic project and an assault on the religious identity of Muslims. Disguised under the cover of laws and regulations, these measures are gradually curtailing religious freedoms in the West. Meanwhile, the hijab of a Muslim woman is not merely an external form of dress—it is a symbol of servitude to God, dignity, and resistance against the materialistic and permissive culture of the West. The prohibition or limitation of it in countries like the UK—which claims to be a cradle of freedom and democracy—reveals the bitter reality of the contradiction between their slogans and actual practice."

She further stressed: "The UK, through administrative regulations and legal directives, restricts the hijab in educational, professional, and public spaces—without explicitly banning it. These restrictions not only impose social limitations but also lead to psychological isolation and identity crises among Muslims, particularly the younger generation. Women who stand firm in wearing the hijab are often forced to choose between preserving their faith and continuing their education or employment. This is a clear example of structural violence carried out under the guise of law."