Cairo: An Egyptian court on Sunday upheld an official ban on taking examinations at government-run universities while wearing the niqab (a full-face veil).
The Administrative Court, turning down lawsuits field by 55 niqab-wearing university students, said that the ban is meant to serve the public good.
The ban was ordered by Minister of Higher Education Hani Hilal, who attributed it for security reasons. He had said in earlier remarks that the full veil is abused by some girls to replace others inside the examination halls.
The ban is in force at Egypt's governmental universities.
Last October, Hilal enraged Islamists and some human rights groups when he barred students wearing the niqab from staying at the low-cost university hostels. The ban triggered a series of protests. However, the niqab is allowed on the campus.
