Source of the document : Islam And The West - Opinions Of A Kashmiri Nomad
Topics covered range from Islam to the West
Voir en ligne : Abstract Thoughts
The face veil or the niqab as it known by its Arabic name is already banned on public transport and schools in Holland. Now the country is moving to a complete and total ban (11/11/2006)
"The Netherlands may become the first European country to ban Muslim face veils after its government pledged yesterday to outlaw the wearing in public spaces of the niqab, or veil, and the burka, or full-length cloak covering the head.
Rita Verdonk, the immigration minister, signalled that the government would now push for a total ban, even though the legislation would be likely to contravene Dutch religious freedom laws.
"The cabinet finds the wearing of a burka undesirable ... but cannot at present enforce a total ban," the Dutch news agency ANP quoted her as saying after a cabinet meeting." (Source: The Guardian)
Well I suppose it was good while it lasted for the niqab wearing crew in Holland. By the way how many of Holland's 1 million Muslims are estimated to wear the niqab ? 500, 000 no. 250,000 no. 100, 000 no. 25, 000 no. 1,000 no. 500 no. 100 no. 50 yes. That is right 50 women in the whole of the Netherlands are estimated to wear the niqab. Are they really worth all the trouble of legislation ?
As a side point is it not ironic that the Dutch are traveling all round the globe to places like Iraq to teach the locals about freedom and in particular religious freedom while at home they are busy banning the niqab. As someone once said we are all equal but some of us are more equal than others.
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