Austrian government promotes burqa ban in public places

Published : 31 Jan 2017, 23:45

Jagoroniya Desk

The Austrian government has announced that it intends to advance the legislation of a burqa ban within the country in public places. According to reports, the initiative is an attempt to appease the right-wing political parties.

After France and Switzerland, Austria is also taking steps against the burqa, a traditional Islamic covering for women. Today (Tuesday), the Austrian government announced that it intends to ban burqas from public places in what appears to be an attempt to please the right-wing political parties in the country.

According to the government’s plan, all garments that cover the face, including the burqa, will be banned. The ruling party in Austria released a 35-page document about the plan, which states that Austria is an “on open society that requires open communication.”

“Full-face veils in public spaces stand against that and will therefore be banned,” read the document. The ban will need to be approved by the parliament before it is applied. The purpose of the reform is to ensure that Austria will be presented as a neutral country in terms of religion, according to the document. The ban will also apply to state employees who wear a uniform.  

Last month, JOL News reported that German Chancellor Angela Merkel surprisingly announced that she will support a burqa ban. “The full-length covering is not appropriate here,” she said during her political party’s annual conference. Merkel promised that such a ban will be advanced in legislation.

Source: jerusalemonline

  • Latest
  • Most viewed