Afghanistan's cosmopolitan new first lady has backed France's controversial ban on the niqab, comparing the full veil to 'blinders' as she prepares to campaign for more respect for women in her conservative adopted homeland. Rula Ghani shocked Afghan observers earlier this year when she appeared with her husband during the country's presidential campaign, a rare example of a political wife sharing the spotlight. Now the Lebanese-American of Christian heritage is set to carve out a role for herself as the patriarchal and deeply Muslim nation's first high-profile first lady. Afghanistan's cosmopolitan new first lady, Rula Ghani (pictured), has backed France's controversial ban on the niqab
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Rula Ghani said the niqab and burqa prevent women from moving freely
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Ghani returned to Kabul in 2002 when her husband became finance minister
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Her husband was sworn in as President on September 29 this year
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She admits she is still trying to define her role in Afghanistan
'When issues began to arise around the veil and hijab in F@placeholder I was a little shocked, people seem to not have a very long memory.'