Dutch Education Minister Ronald Plasterk confirmed extending a proposed ban on the face veil – also known as the niqab – from schools and universities, and the ban applying to students, teachers, and service providers. “It will forbid any kind of garment that covers the face. The intention is to ensure that all people who…
In two recent legal decisions, head-to-toe burqas have been banned from state-sponsored French language classes. Louis Schweitzer, the head of France’s anti-discrimination agency told La Croix daily that “Religious freedom is not absolute” and they authorities have sought “the most reasonable compromise.” His agency known as Halde ruled last month to ban burqa and niqab…
British authorities are warning that a form of militant Islamist feminism is beginning to emerge, and that some Muslim women could begin to pose a security threat. Officials say the great majority of Muslims, men and women, espouse moderate views. But there is growing concern over an Islamic reawakening among women that could further widen…
Cherie Blair has criticised Muslim religious dress for women under situations where they it is not _freely undertaken” and where it fails to acknowledge “the woman’s right to be a person”. A practising Roman Catholic and wife of former Prime Minister Tony Blair, she warned against the full-face veil (niqab) worn by strictly Islamic women…
Sir, The Judicial Studies Board has added to what it calls the Equal Treatment Bench Book guidance to judges and others on wearing in court the Muslim niqab, which involves the full covering of the woman’s face (Court veil approval, April 25 ). The guidance says (oddly) that to ask for the removal of this…
