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Belgium Set to Be First Country in Europe to Ban Burqa Wearing in Public

by Erin Donnelly (Subscribe to Erin Donnelly's posts)
Posted Apr 1st 2010 at 11:03AM  
5 Comments
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Belgium is trying to ban burqas in public. Photo: AFP/Getty Images

Looks like France isn't the only country waging a war against the controversial burqa.

Belgium is poised to become the first European country to ban the Muslim veil in public following a parliamentary committee vote this week, the Daily Mail reports.

The measure will be put to a full Parliament vote later this month, and, if passed, would enforce a fine or week-long prison sentence for women caught wearing the face-concealing garment in public, according to the paper.

However, the bill reportedly does not specifically single out burqas, stating simply that it opposes clothing "that covers all or most of the face."

Politicians in favor of the bill have reportedly cited security issues (i.e., the inability to ID anyone with their face hidden) as a motive for the ban.

Daniel Bacquelaine, a major supporter of the bill, told the paper that only a few hundred women in Belgium -- which has a reported Muslim population of 650,000 -- wear the veil, but that it was growing in popularity. He suggested that the bill would help his country avoid religious segregation as seen in "bad examples" like England.

If successful, the ban could become law as early as June, barring any human rights challenges.

As we've reported previously, French politicans have also made efforts to ban the burqa in public, with some calling the garment "unacceptable." However, this week its highest administrative body ruled that such a ban may violate the country's constitution, according to the Daily Mail.

Do you think a burqa ban is fair? Should the government have a say in the religious garments people are allowed to wear -- even if it means banning crosses?

Meanwhile, read about a man who claimed religious discrimination over his Jedi-style hood.

Read All Comments
Filed under: News
Tags: belgium, burqa ban, Burqas, muslim, religion, Religious Wear, Veils
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READER COMMENTS

(5)Add A Comment

C e, 7-14-2010, 3:00PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
C e

Yes, there should be a ban on veils covering the face. If they object than it is their option to move somewhere where it is allowed. When in Rome do as the Romans.

Reply »

Tacere, 7-15-2010, 5:36PM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
Tacere

Well, let's see. Lack of Vitimin D causes some serious ills.
I hope they don't put it on little girls; they'd have Rickets.
Females in Islamic countries must wear either the veil or the Burka, even if they are only visiting. Islamic females in other countries should remove their veils/Burkas. As has been said:
WHEN IN ROME ...
Of course, the ruling would be an excellent way to rid the woman of her husband for at least a year. I'd go for it. I'd put the Burka on and blame him. It'd be a quick way out of a cloth prison.

Reply »

AZ Man, 7-14-2010, 6:57PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
AZ Man

Stop it now, or live with it here. Its worse then cancer.

Reply »

FRANCIS REEVES, 7-14-2010, 7:13PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
FRANCIS REEVES

Great move by France, I hope the rest of Europe follows. I went to France and was shocked by the # of women roaming around completely covered fro head to toe. When European women travel to 'devotely' muslim countries they must cover up to avoid offending the public. This outrageous demand is considered perfectly normal to these people. Why should France put up with the cultural demands of outsiders ? I understand that now in French hospitals, muslim men prevent their women from being examined by male doctors, even in emergency situations. Take these archaic sensibilities back to the Muslim nations where they belong, and force them on the rest of the civilized world. Cover your women up, stone them to death, burn widows alive, just dont expect the rest of the world to accept and condone your outrageous religious customs. Keep them to yourself !

Reply »

Jim, 7-16-2010, 10:49PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Jim

I love it. It's just a matter of time when all of Europe will ban the damn thing.

Reply »

 
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