Leyla Cakir, head of Muslim women’s organization Al Nisa, said she was surprised and shocked by the decision.
“You are taking away women’s right of self-determination, and it is all based on fear,” she said.
But in a statement announcing the decision, the government said it was helping women.
“Having to wear a burqa or niqab in public goes against equality of men and women,” the government said. “With this legislation, the Cabinet is removing a barrier to these women participating in society.”
Silly women. Don’t you know the government is helping you? Liberating you? Never mind that these politicians couldn’t care less about your “equality” since this is largely a symbolic political move that demonizes 1 million Muslims while only about 300 of them wear a veil, all in exchange for conservative brownie points.
The Netherlands would be the third European nation to pass a burqa ban after France and Belgium, and it has approached the issue by framing it as a security barrier that clashes with the Dutch tradition of “open communication.” According to Reuters, the law would exclude clothing worn for security reasons such as that worn by firemen and hockey players, as well as party clothing such as Santa Claus or Halloween costumes.
