A year of living with our faces covered and masked has taught us that society can still function even when we can't see each other's faces, and that it doesn't erase our identity, it doesn't significantly threaten security.
We're still people, humans, our eyes meet, we connect with our voices, despite the distance we maintain from each other.
With this realization now clear, it's surprising that the fixation on burqa and niqab bans still isn't going away. Switzerland recently had a vote on the matter, and now Sri Lanka seems to be headed down the same path of prejudice. It seems to be a strange kind of political fixation, an obsession. It's also now clear that these bans are inspired by nothing more than prejudice.
Sending my love and regards to all the niqabi sisters out there. You don't deserve to be subjected to these prejudices just because of your choice of clothing. Stay strong.