Guinea to close Islamic schools where veil is worn

CONACKRY, Guinea

Guinea’s president on Sunday pledged to close Islamic schools where teachers and students wear the full veil, or niqab.

Alpha Conde cited the “fight against terrorism” following Friday’s terror attacks in neighboring Mail that killed 19 as the reason for the decision.

“I will close all Quranic schools where students and teachers wear the full veil,” he told a meeting of his Rally of the Guinean People party.

He did not announce a date for the measure.

Some west African countries banned the niqab earlier this year in response to Boko Haram suicide attacks carried out by veiled female bombers.