Belgium To Ban Burqa

The House Affairs Committee of the Belgian Parliament voted unanimously to ban the use of a burqa in public. The measure will be brought before the full government after Easter, and is expected to be the first bill of its kind in Europe.

The recent wave of immigration into secular Europe from predominantly Muslim countries has sparked a fierce debate on the subcontinent. In regards to the burqa, on one hand are those pressing for religious expression, on the other women’s rights advocates.

“Wearing the burqa in public is not compatible with an open, liberal, tolerant society” stated Daniel Bacquelaine, the liberal sponsor of the bill.

A center right Member of Parliament, Denis Ducarme added, “I am proud that Belgium would be the first country in Europe which dares to legislate on this sensitive matter”

The New York Times reports that, “The bill could mean a ban being imposed on wearing burqas, or full-length garments that prevent women being identified, in streets, public gardens and sports grounds or buildings “meant for public use.”

This comes on the heels of the recent direct democratic vote in Switzerland which banned the construction of any new Islamic minarets by a wide plurality. The Netherlands and France are similarly considering measures to curb the use of the burqa in public.

France banned wearing scarves in public schools in 2004, and the Netherlands is considering legislation that would ban them for teachers and public servants.

There are around half million Muslims living in Belgium. The sight of women wearing burqas and niqabs is not common, likely due to the highly secular nature of Belgian society.