Oct 10, 2007
Liberty and Repression in Italy
"A row has broken out in Italy over the wearing of the burka after the prefect of a city in the north-east announced he was permitting it, despite legislation outlawing any clothing that stops the wearer being recognised."
"The burka covers the body from head to foot, with the exception of a small mesh at eye level.
"The announcement by the prefect - the local representative of the interior ministry - also appeared to clear the way for the use of the equally controversial and more widely worn niqab, which leaves only the eyes visible."
I didn't know (and I guess most of you didn't either) that an Italian law of 1975 bans the wearing of masks in public.
Score one for the United States where, as far as I know, masks are not yet prohibited in public. Indeed, today I rode the bus next to a woman who wore a niqab. That's the second time I've seen her. More power to her, I say.
"The burka covers the body from head to foot, with the exception of a small mesh at eye level.
"The announcement by the prefect - the local representative of the interior ministry - also appeared to clear the way for the use of the equally controversial and more widely worn niqab, which leaves only the eyes visible."
I didn't know (and I guess most of you didn't either) that an Italian law of 1975 bans the wearing of masks in public.
Score one for the United States where, as far as I know, masks are not yet prohibited in public. Indeed, today I rode the bus next to a woman who wore a niqab. That's the second time I've seen her. More power to her, I say.