Mufti of Egypt states that Muslim women should abandon face veils in Non-Muslim lands

The Mufti of Egypt, Dr. Ali Jumu`ah, recently stated that Muslim women should not wear niqaab (face veils) in Non-Muslim lands for the following reasons:

1) She could cause undue strain and harrassment upon herself due to the face veil being outside of the social norms and customs of Non-Muslim societies.
2) Wearing the face veil can cause undue hardships and trouble for the broader Muslim community, the majority of which do not believe that the face veil is a religious obligation.


This statement, however, is not binding upon Muslim women outside of Muslim lands like any other fatwa from a mufti. This is his opinion out of other opinions within the Muslim world. However, Al-Azhar University, which he is a part of is the premier and oldest Islamic University in the world.