Dutch Move To Ban Burka In Public Options

[Zaheer]

The recent ban on Burka by Belgium Govt. i would like to share and discuss this issue with you all here, the news is like this:

Thrusting itself into a highly polarized debate just days before going to the polls, the Dutch government said yesterday it would introduce legislation banning full-length veils and other clothing that covers the face in public places.

By moving to ban the burka, the centre-right government appears to be taking the toughest line on the issue in Europe, which has been embroiled in an often divisive debate around questions of integration and assimilation of Muslims.

While the Dutch sought to justify the step mostly on security grounds, critics slammed the move as an overreaction. Some saw it as a bid for the right-wing vote ahead of national elections next Wednesday.

"The cabinet finds it undesirable that garments covering the face, including the burka, should be worn in public in view of public order, [and] the security and protection of fellow citizens," the Dutch Justice Ministry said in a statement.

"From a security standpoint, people should always be recognizable and from the standpoint of integration, we think people should be able to communicate with one another," Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk told national broadcaster NOS.

But Queen's University's Ariel Salzmann, a professor of Islamic and world history, dismissed the Dutch government's security argument.

"It sounds like they've been watching the Battle of Algiers too often, people hiding bombs under their scarves," she said. "It's a very wrong move. It's very unfortunate."

Ms. Verdonk said the ban also would apply to headgear like ski masks and full-faced helmets. Including those items as part of the face-concealment prohibition was seen by some as a way around the country's constitutional guarantee against religious discrimination.

The main Dutch Muslim organization CMO said a ban nevertheless would be a violation of civil rights. "This is a big law for a small problem," said Ayhan Tonca, who said that only a few dozen women in the Netherlands wear a burka.

The ban must pass parliament to go into effect. Jeroen Dijsselbloem, of the opposition Labour Party, which does not support the ban, condemned the proposal.

"I'm very much worried that in the Muslim community many people will see this as Islam bashing," he said.

[iamcrazy]

HOW DARE THEY this is pathetic its a viel these people are being intimidated by women wearing veils? and this is those stupid so called muslims faults who did use the burka and viel as a disguise for bombs sometimes theses muslims bring this kind of stuff on them selves.

[Simba]

These guys are idiots. How can they say freedom of religion and freedom of expression when they don't allow Muslims to express themselves and show their own individuality? Europe is so hyprocritical when it comes to domestic policies.

[MuslimMusician]

I wholeheartedly agree. Freedom is a fundamental truth and moral, even if we look outside of religions.