Rome, Italy (CNN) -- A woman in Italy has been fined €500 ($653) for wearing a veil that covered a large part of her face, in violation of a local ordinance, an official in Novara, Italy, said Tuesday.
The woman, a native of Tunisia who lives in northeastern Italy, was wearing a niqab, a veil favored by ultra-religious Muslim women that covers the whole face but leaves an opening for the eyes. A police officer asked her to identify herself but she and her husband declined to remove the niqab, said Mauro Frazinelli, a city official in Novara.
The city has an ordinance preventing people from wearing clothes that cover the face and full body. The fine marked the first time the ordinance was enforced, Frazinelli said.
The incident happened Saturday when the woman, who was not named, was standing in line outside a post office with her husband, also a Tunisian native, Frazinelli said.
When the couple refused to remove the niqab, the policeman called over a female officer, who was allowed to see the woman's face and verify her identity, Frazinelli said.
The woman was fined €500 Monday, he said.
Both the husband and wife are legal immigrants and had proper documentation, he said. The husband, 36, is a construction worker and the wife is in her 20s, he said.
Under a 1975 national anti-terrorism law, Italy prohibits the covering of one's face in public places.
In January of this year, Novara Mayor Massimo Giordano and the city council passed an ordinance prohibiting the wearing of clothes that fully hide the face of either men or women. The ordinance does not specifically name traditional Muslim garments such as the niqab or the burqa -- which completely covers the face and body -- nor does it mention Islam.
The ordinance applies only to the city of Novara, which has a population of about 100,000, out of which 8 percent are immigrants. Franzinelli said he estimates that about 4,000 to 5,000 Muslims live in Novara, and that most female Muslims either wear a veil, which covers the hair, or no head covering.
It is rare, he said, to see a woman wearing a niqab or burqa.
The mayor was prompted to push the ordinance after he saw children become frightened when a woman wearing a burqa went to their elementary school, Franzinelli said.
Giordano said of the ordinance, "It is the only way to favor integration."
Belgium's chamber of deputies last week passed a measure banning face coverings for women, which must still be approved by the senate and king before becoming law.
France is also mulling legislation that would ban face and head coverings for women.
Posted by
Siv
6 comments:
From my point of view, this woman as well as the population of muslim women across the globe, who wear the niqab, have all the rights to do so; no matter where they live. Although they might live in a country other than their homeland, these women are just expressing their views towards their culture.
In my opinion, governments worldwide have to consider the perspectives of these women, instead of defining their religious practices as a form of terrorism. However, the government’s decisions are understandable. Although wearing the niqab is a form of religious practice, it can be misused. As mentioned above “the mayor was prompted to push the ordinance after he saw children become frightened when a woman wearing a burqa went to their elementary school”. It could be argued that by prohibiting the wearing of clothes that fully hide the face of either men or women, many safety harzards such as problems dealing with identification; (like mentioned in the article) can be prevented. Overall, I think that a compromise should be made by the Muslim community and the government so that these women can continue to practice their religion without conflicting with the security measures of the nation.
I feel that the city officials of Novara are in the wrong. There should not be a law stating the women can not wear religious coverings, no matter what the type. This is ethically wrong and the couple should not have to pay for wearing something that they are accustomed to. If we truly want to eliminate discrimination, then as a society we have to learn to accept various types of religious practices and incorporate them into our communities. If we do this then we will take another step forward in eliminating discrimination all together.
By: Eyoel
This is simply outrageous and foolish. Nobody on this planet has the right to tell another human being that their way of life is wrong. It is perplexing to me that females wearing the niqab are becoming such an important issue for the media and our world. Preventing these women from following their religious values and beliefs and wearing their religious clothes is almost like banning a Christian bride to-be from wearing the traditional, white gown! Moreover, countries are using the excuse of safety t ban hijabs, niqabs and bruqas from their nations. This makes me wonder though if it is just a safety issue or is their more hidden meaning to it. I believe that to some extent the stereotype of Muslims being involved with terrorism and religious extremists might have to do with this sudden fad of banning religious headwear for women.
I agree with you Siv. The governments’ reasons for banning the headwear is to some extent legitimate but it is very important to think about the basic human right that would be snatched away from these women. Also, I feel that the government should give unbiased and just reasons behind their target towards the Muslim community and its women. Personally, I do not agree with the reasons behind women wearing hijab or covering themselves up because to me it is a sexist religious practice that was designed to portray the dominating role of men on women; however, I do not have a problem with anybody who chooses to wear the headwear and follow through with their traditions. In my opinion, that is completely their choice and nobody should be forcing anything on anybody. As we watched in the movie in class, the banning of hijabs and niqabs are in a lot of debate in Quebec and as I said, it is ridiculous. I feel it is a part of these women’s identity and it only adds to the diversity and freedom that we have in Canada. Banning this religious tradition would violate our diversity and the global human rights of the world.
I feel as if the Muslim Community’s beliefs and values are being taken away from the women, when they are restricted from wearing a Niqab. Wearing Niqab gives them sense of feeling of attachment toward there identity, and they wish to express it. Although, I would not approve of covering yourself head to toe (except for the eyes), but I do respect the other culture ideals. No one should force upon their own beliefs to another, but share it.
However, I do approve of the government’s decisions, because you will never able to identify a criminal if they are wearing the Niqab. For all you know, it may be a male murder, hiding from the police. But, I am not saying everyone that wears a Niqab is one, but there is a possibility. Someone might misuse the custom for illegal activities. Although, wearing a Niqab is a religious belief, yet it does process a safety threat.
Meanwhile, I believe Muslim women, who wear a Niqab, should have a special identity card. Therefore, the misunderstanding of using the Niqab will not happen again to other Muslim women. Overall, I agree with Siv’s and Srijoni’s perspectives.
This is a serious issue, and this reminds people that discrimination is not over. I agree with Siv as this lady should have the right to wear a niqab as well as everyone. This depicts freedom of expression which should be respected in Canada. This women is expressing her beliefs and religious views upon her country and should be accepted. By fining this couple, this shows that the government officials do not view others perspectives in a multicultural way and these assumptions should be changed throughout the world. In addition, by wearing a niqab it allows them to show people their identity. However, they can be checked by a female officer but should not be fined or penalized for not taking it out in the public. It is like saying Hindus should not wear sarams and sarees in the temple which is a religious clothing. Moreover, the basic rights of people is being affected and action should be taken upon. I think the government officials should be more serious on how they react to these situations. I agree with Srijoni, as it is astonishing because this issue is being debated in Quebec. This clothing is made up of normal material as other clothes but just covers there face so WHY IS THIS A PROBLEM? Canada is becoming more and more multicultural so this will become more common and people will have to adapt and get used to it. Furthermore, we must eliminate segregation and allowing people to wear there religious clothing is the way to go.
I find that this issue is simply atrocious. It is shocking that the higher authority like police officers and city officers for example are telling people that they cannot follow their religious practices. It is unjust that the Muslim people who wear niqab’s or even burqa’s in Novara, Italy are no longer allowed to. It is ethically wrong to these people. It is true at the same time that it is a safety issue where a person wearing it would be disguised behind the niqab or burqa, but a better compromise should be made where the Muslim people are not stripped of their religious practice.
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