Netherlands Bans Muslim Women From Covering Their Faces In Public
The Dutch upper house of Parliament officially criminalized the wearing of a burqa on Tuesday, which covers the wearers face and body, along with banning the niqab – a garment that covers the wearer’s face. This ban will mainly affect Muslim women in the Netherlands, however it does not apply to the hijab.
Anyone caught violating this ban will face fines of up to 405 euros; or $472. The ban also covers anyone wearing full-faced helmets and ski masks. Areas where this ban is in place include public spaces such as schools, hospitals, or on public transport.
Reactions to this ban are mixed; Dutch senator Marjolein Faber-Van de Klashorst said on Tuesday that it is “a historical day, because this is the first step to de-Islamize the Netherlands.” Professor of Anthropology and Sociology at the University of Amsterdam Annelies Moors said “this is actually virtually a complete ban because the only spaces that are still available for women (who wear face-covering clothing) are the street and the private sector.”
Netherlands isn’t the first country to implement such laws; Denmark passed a law last month that banned burqas and niqabs to be worn in public buildings that will come into effect in August. France was the first country to implement such laws, banning niqabs in public spaces in 2011.
