Parveen Begum

Is the ban on the burqa and niqab necessary?

France decided to be the first country to ban the burqa in public places. Recently Belgium has proposed a similar ban on the burqa and the niqab. Quebec has introduced to parliament the banning of facial coverings in public places. Other Europeans countries are also thinking of implementing the same law. Muslims around the world see it as a violation to the right to freedom of expression and religious rights.

But I ask is it really a violation?

The prophet Muhammed said ladies should be modest by covering themselves. However, this does not translate to covering your entire self and becoming shapeless and faceless bodies. Being modest is showing modesty in your own right. The veiling practice came from a tribe in Saudia Arabia’s Al-Kharj region. It was a custom inherited by daughters and had little to do with Islam. Women wore the veil 24/7 and neither her husband nor her children would ever get to see her face until her death. This tradition has been borrowed by small Muslim populations. Although the law does force Muslims to abandon their tradition, Muslims should understand that the tradition is very old and does not uphold to the customs of Europe nor the western world. The veiling is no doubt a sign of oppression, even if the women chose to wear it. A person that covers herself is asking not to be seen or heard. It counteracts the European values of identity and being open. It is uncomfortable to talk to someone without seeing their face. Much of communication is through facial expression and body language. Burqas and niqabs pose a security risk. Anyone can wear them and use it for criminal purposes. To be blunt, if Muslims are going to decide to live in another country, then they must respect their laws and regulations as we are expected to when we visit their countries.