site.btaPatriotic Front Moves for Ban on Burqas

Patriotic Front Moves for Ban on Burqas

Sofia, April 20 (BTA) - The Patriotic Front (PF) Wednesday moved a bill that bans burqas in public places, as well as any accessory or clothing that veils fully or partly the face. PF co-leader Krassimir Karakachanov told the press that the bill was prompted by information that some women wear a burqa because they are paid to do that and not because their religion calls for it.

He added that such policy has been persistently followed by Turkey.

MP Iskren Vesselinov explained that burqas are banned in six European countries and the PF bill is closest to the French law. "Bulgaria is a secular state and the whole society must respect its culture," he commented.

The ban will not apply to cases when a person's profession calls for special clothing, such as firemen, who have to wear masks, or when a headcover is worn during a sport or cultural event. Women will be able to wear burqas at home or in mosques.

Not observing the ban will carry a fine of 200 leva. A repeat offence will be punishable by a fine of 1,500 leva and, where applicable, suspension of welfare for three months.

The Interior Ministry and mayors will be responsible for enforcing the ban if and when it turns into a law.

The authors of the bill argue that wearing clothing that conceals the face poses risks to national security and recall cases when women suicide bombers have been used in terrorist acts.

The discussion flared up in the recent weeks when women in niqabs were shown in TV footage in the Roma neighbourhood of the southern town of Pazardjik. The idea of banning Islamic face veils in public places was raised by Prosecutor General Sotir Tsatsarov earlier this month and was picked up by politicians and clerics, expressing strong views "for" or "against". Education Minister Meglena Kuneva has spoken in support of banning burqas in schools. She argues that school is not a place to demonstrate one's religion and that the burqa is not a symbol of the traditional Islam in Bulgaria.