A long journey

The full Islamic veil (burqa) has often determined contrasting and different views by the public opinion. But lately, hot debates marked by different approaches have occurred also within certain EU27 Member States’ governments and parliaments. SIR Europe presents a snapshot of the situation of current European legislation on the subject with contributions of experts in this field. Belgium and Denmark. Past April 29 the Low Chamber of Belgium’s Parliament adopted a draft bill envisioning a fine or one week in prison for “those attending a public area with their face covered, whether in part or fully, thus preventing their identification”. The bill is due to undergo debate to the High Chamber prior to final approval. Past January Denmark’s Government decided to limit the use of the burqa and of the niqab in public areas “without prohibiting their use”. Schools, public bodies and enterprises are called to adopt specific regulations to this regard. France. In the meantime a law on the subject is likely to be adopted in France by next September. To this regard, in the sitting of past May 19 the Government submitted a draft bill on “total garment”. Art.1 states, “Nobody can wear garment which is aimed at hiding their face”. Exceptions are granted for medical reasons and in case of legal prescriptions for anonymity during traditional festivals of cultural events. Offenders are liable to incur in a 150-euro fine along with a course “on civic education”. Sanctions for those who inflict coercive behaviors on women provide for one-year jail sentences and a 15 thousand Euro fine. After the promulgation of the law the Government envisages an “instructional” 6-month period during which the sanctions may be not applied yet. Previously, at the end of March, the French State Council issued a judgement providing for the exclusion of the “total” ban which “is void of legal bases” while encouraging the “optimization” of legislation that prohibits “face features concealment”, and extending the ban “to specific circumstances of time and place”. Other European countries are debating the limits on the use of the veil. Italy is one of these, where seven draft laws are being debated by the Ist Parliament Commission (Constitutional Affairs) on the “Modification of article 5, Act May 22 1975, n. 152, providing for “the prohibition to the wearing of clothing explicitly named burqa and niqab”. The document provides for the ban “on female clothing called burqa and niqab used by Islamic women”, and to wear clothing “for religious purposes which prevent the person’s identification”. The Commission, which set up an ad hoc Committee tasked with producing a unified document, carried out a systematic survey with the contribution of experts in this field. The real question. “It is also important to reiterate that as provided for by the law the ban on garment aimed at concealing facial features in public areas applies to everyone. The compulsory rule of wearing a veil for women is not to be found in the Qur’an nor in the Islamic Sunna (I intend facial covering preventing identification) and therefore there is no foundation endorsing a dogmatic interpretation of purely cultural practices”, Italian Fr. Claudio Monge told SIR Europe. Fr, Monge has been living in Istanbul for over eight years where he serves as superior of the Dominican community. “I consider the pretense to penalize those who exert coercion of women hazardous”, continues the theologian, expert in inter-religious dialogue. “The question of the veil is ‘per se’ questionable in terms of woman coercion or discrimination (and blatant coercion represents a very low percentage). Indeed, it can be said that so-called Western modern Countries ought to closely monitor the situation of domestic violence against all women, who are not veiled!”. The path of respect. The French bishops conveyed their reservations on the ban on the full veil, as reaffirmed by bishop Michel Santier, president of the Council for Inter-Religious relations – if France decided to release legislation to this regard, the consequences on Muslim women would be the “opposite” of the intentions. “If legislation were adopted – said Msgr. Santier – Muslim women wearing the total veil would no longer go out of their homes thus reinforcing their alienation from society. The result could be the opposite, and more women would be wearing the veil as a reaction”. To this regard, it’s important “not to give in to sentiments of fear calling for the clash of civilizations”. “The dialogue in truth among believers enables to overcome mutual prejudices. It will be a long and demanding journey. The path of mutual respect will enable us to improve the coexistence in our Country”.