The Civil Service Commission has updated its regulations to permit female government employees to wear the niqab while on duty, expanding opportunities for women who choose this form of Islamic attire.

The amendment, announced this week, requires civil servants to dress appropriately but no longer mandates that their faces be visible for identification. Instead, employees providing services that require verification must display an official ID card or name tag showing their name and position.

Previously, the dress code required staff to be visibly identifiable, which effectively barred niqab-wearing women from civil service jobs. The new provision removes that barrier, allowing them to work while maintaining their chosen religious dress.

The judiciary has made a similar move: the Department of Judicial Administration recently revised its rules to permit female court employees to wear the niqab at work.

Officials say the change aligns with President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s commitment to non-discrimination and respect for Islamic practices, ensuring that government workplaces accommodate religious expression while maintaining professional standards.