Assalamaliekum warahmatullahi wabrakatuhu,
May Allah Subhanahu wat'ala aid our sisters in times of trials and keep them steadfast upon deen. After reading few threads on this topic, I am deeply saddened by attitude of our some brothers and sisters who think the govt. banning niqab is somewhat legitimate from security point of view, etc and shouldn't be opposed. Had governement wanted it could have taken others steps instead of banning niqab, like deployment of female officers at places where security check is needed, for identification of niqabi women, make use of some technology for identification, etc. Perhaps they'll ban something else in future due to some other 'legiminate' reason, perhaps after a while all khutbas will need govt. approval before being delivered due to 'security reasons'.
Allah exalted says:
Never will the Jews nor the Christians be pleased with you till you follow their religion. [Quran 2:120]
I don't think any one of us is unaware of extremely 'consistent & just' principles of ahlul kufr, so there no point in drawing any legitimacy for such oppressive and intolerant laws.
We all should condemn and challenge such oppressive laws by our own capability (Through our dua'as, legal procedures, putting political pressure,etc (not by harming public property or doing something that brings more harms to muslims.)), even if some of follow view of niqab being not obligatory, or atleast don't support it!
People of other faiths have stood for their religious practices and have legally fought against laws and have succeeded. Take Sikh people carrying
kirpan for example.
Is a piece of cloth greater 'security risk' than a dagger?
If we don't stand for our rights we'll remain oppressed.