Is wearing the niqab commendable in a country where few women wear it, and is that considered a deviation from the norm that might cause fitna?

If a husband commands his wife to cover her face, she must obey him, because there is a difference of opinion regarding this matter, between permissibility and obligation. Obedience to the husband is obligatory if he commands something permissible, so it is even more so if he commands something that might be obligatory. Covering the face is more cautious for a woman and further removes suspicion, and custom does not prevent it. And whoever pleases Allah by displeasing people, Allah will be pleased with him and will make people pleased with him.