Belgium Will Be The First

We have heard a lot in the past couple of weeks about possible legislation banning the traditional Muslim veil in France. Earlier this month, a French Muslim woman was fined for wearing the veil while driving. Police stated that the veil "restricted her vision and could have caused an accident." Earlier this week, France's president demanded that parliament consider legislation to ban wearing the veil in public. But what about Belgium?

Belgium is now well on its way to becoming the first country in Europe to ban the full-face veils worn by some Muslim women. These bans are currently in place in several Belgian cities, but the new ban would be nation-wide. Belgian parliament is currently debating legislation against wearing clothing that obscures a person's identity, which includes the Muslim burka and niqab veils. The ban is also receiving cross-party support, which suggests a good chance that it will be passed into law. Some supporters view the need for this law as one of security, others see the veils as a sign of the oppression of women. Others even argue cultural reasons, saying that the veils prevent good interpersonal communication because one's facial expression cannot be seen. However, critics of the ban question whether there is even need for the law, considering that less than one hundred women even wear the veils. They also state the freedom of choice, and protecting these women's rights, although both sides of the argument claim to be trying to protect women's rights in this case. The vice-president of the Muslim Executive of Belgium Isabelle Praile calls the ban "an attack on democracy," and worries about the precedent that this ban will present to the rest of Europe. As we see from today's international news, Belgium may be leading the way, but several other countries are following close behind.

Submitted By: Nora Beswick