Dutch proposed burqa ban condemned
Malaysiakini.com
Nov 20, 2006

Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar has criticised the Netherlands over a proposed government ban of face veils, saying it was discriminatory and violated the rights of Muslims.

"This is again another imbalance treatment. Why can't people have the freedom to dress the way they want to dress.

"People can go naked and wear scanty dresses and yet you do not condemn them. And when people want to cover themselves that is their right," he told reporters.

Malaysia currently chairs the 57-nation Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

On Friday the Dutch cabinet said it was proposing a bill banning clothing that covers the face in public, targeting in particular Muslim woman wearing the burqa or niqab.

The burqa is an Islamic veil covering the entire face and body and a mesh screen to see through, while the niqab is a veil covering the face but leaving the eye area clear.

Risk to public order

Rita Verdonk, minister of immigration and integration, said the bill proposed a ban on the basis that covering the face constituted a risk to public order and safety.

Syed Hamid rebuked the security concern, saying the veil could be opened when authorities want to identify an individual.

"You do not tell people how they should dress. Okay if you have a problem of identification. You ask them to open for the purpose of identification. But to tell them they cannot wear, that is not right," he said.

As in many European countries, the integration of immigrants is a hot topic in the Netherlands, and the bill comes just days before legislative elections.

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