Burqa ban bill approved by Portugal’s parliament seen as targeting Muslim women

If signed into law, the bill proposed by far-right party would follow other European countries in banning face veilsPortugal’s parliament has approved a bill banning face veils worn for “gender or religious” reasons in public, in a move seen as targeting Muslim women who wear face coverings.The measure was proposed by the far-right Chega party and would prohibit coverings such as burqas (a full-body garment that covers a woman from head to foot) and niqabs (the full-face Islamic veil with space around the eyes) from being worn in most public places. Face veils would still be allowed in airplanes, diplomatic premises and places of worship. Continue reading...