Uzbek authorities have told Muslim women in the country not to wear the Islamic veil, or hijab, during 18th anniversary celebrations of Uzbekistan’s independence on September 1st.

Hijab wearing women in Uzbekistan have told Radio Free Europe that police officers have already started approaching them for identity papers.

The officers have expressly told the women not to wear the hijab on September 1st, because their loose-fitting clothes could be used by terrorists to conceal their identities or to hide explosives.