MOSCOW (NNP) Moscow has announced a relaxation of regulations regarding citizenship applications for foreign nationals, allowing the use of headscarves and hijabs in passport photographs, according to the Russian Interior Ministry. Effective from May 5, the new law permits individuals whose religious beliefs require head coverings to submit photos where the face remains visible. However, scarves that fully or partially obscure the chin will not be accepted. This initiative, aimed at accommodating religious practices while ensuring state security, extends to various official documents, including passports, driver’s licenses, and work permits. Biysultan Khamzaev, a member of the State Duma Security and Anti-Corruption Committee, emphasized the need for facial recognition in video monitoring systems while respecting religious freedoms. The policy shift marks a departure from the Soviet-era practice of passport photos without head coverings. Despite a brief prohibition in 1997, Muslim women have since been allowed to wear hijabs in passport photos, with the ban overturned by the Russian Supreme Court in 2003. President Vladimir Putin has emphasized Russia’s diverse cultural and religious landscape, recognizing the importance of accommodating its numerous ethnic and religious groups.
