Danish Parliament Votes to Ban Burqas, Niqabs

Islamization Backlash in Denmark

By Sara Shayanian  |

Danish Parliament voted Thursday to ban face veils worn by Muslim women, becoming the latest European country to outlaw the burqa and niqab. File photo by Julien Warnand/EPA-EFE

UPI -- Lawmakers in Denmark voted Thursday to ban face veils worn by Muslim women, becoming the latest European country to outlaw the burqa and niqab.

Danish Parliament voted 75-30 for the bans. Seventy-four lawmakers did not vote. Wimps!

The law will take effect in August.

Violators could be fined nearly $160. The ban does not involve headscarves, turbans or Jewish skullcaps but does include false beards, masks and other ways of obscuring the face.

Danish National Radio reported the ban won't apply in some cases if the garments serve a "worthy purpose," like protection from cold weather.

The Danish People's Party first proposed banning burqas in public in 2009. Party spokesman Martin Henriksen said the garments are incompatible with Danish culture.

"It has taken almost 10 years to convince a majority in the parliament that we should ban burqa and niqab in public space. Now it falls into place," Henriksen said.

"Of course, we have individual freedoms we must protect. But some people use them to promote an ideology that, if they are successful, will mean many more lose their freedoms."

Amnesty International said Thursday though safety grounds might be legitimate, a blanket ban on face veils violates freedom of expression and religion.

"All women should be free to dress as they please and to wear clothing that expresses their identity or beliefs," the group said. "This ban will have a particularly negative impact on Muslim women who choose to wear the niqab or burqa."

Denmark's ban follows similar laws in France, Germany, Belgium, Bulgaria and parts of Switzerland. A similar law was proposed in Norway schools this year.

India may Start Jailing for ‘Instant Divorce’ Still Used by Local Muslims

Triple-Talaq on its way out in most of India

© Cathal McNaughton / Reuters

A law has reportedly been drafted in India to ban the controversial practice of instant divorce, known as triple talaq, with violators facing three years in jail. Dozens of Muslim men still use the practice yearly, including by means of WhatsApp or SMS.

The draft law – entitled the Muslim Women Protection of Rights on Marriage Bill – was sent to the authorities of Indian states on Friday, a senior government official said as reported by The Indian Express. 

“Triple talaq” amounts to divorce in traditional Muslim circles in India, although it is considered to be a glaring misinterpretation of the Koran. The apocryphal ritual is performed when a husband utters the Arabic word ‘ṭalaq,’ meaning “I divorce you,” to his wife three times.

The draft law was prepared by an inter-minister group led by Home Minister Rajnath Singh. The document states that a woman whose husband gave her a triple talaq can report him to authorities and demand “subsistence allowance” for herself and minor children, NDTV reported. 

Should a husband decide to give his wife an instant divorce online (via e-mail, WhatsApp or SMS), such a procedure will also be illegal, the draft clarifies. “The provision of subsistence allowance and custody has been made to ensure that in case the husband asks the wife to leave the house she should have legal protection,” the official said.

The draft comes as the practice of “instant divorce” continues across India: “There have been 177 reported cases of instant talaq before the judgement and 66 after the order this year... Uttar Pradesh tops the list. Hence, the government planned a law.”

The law can be applied everywhere in India, except Jammu and Kashmir province, which has a Muslim-majority population. It is not clear exactly why this bill won’t be applied there.

A range of Muslim-majority countries, such as Turkey, Egypt, Bangladesh and Pakistan, have long since abolished the instant divorce. However, it remains legal under Indian law. In April this year Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave his opinion of the triple talaq by saying that “injustice should not be done to Muslim women.” 

Islamic Instant Divorce Practice Reviewed by India’s Top Court

Women being divorced on Facebook and Whatsapp

A veiled Muslim bride, India © Amit Dave / Reuters

This is an Islamic bridal gown? Do they wear the same thing to a funeral? Maybe there is not such a big difference between an Islamic wedding and a funeral?

A multi-faith judge bench in India has opened hearings on whether the controversial practice of instant divorce violates the rights of Muslim women.

The instant divorce in Islam is called the "triple talaq", as a man can divorce his wife by simply uttering "talaq" (divorce) three times.

Do women also have the right to divorce their husbands by triple talaq? Not likely!

The five Supreme Court judges, all of different faiths – Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Zoroastrian and Muslim started six-day hearings on the issue on Thursday.

They are reviewing a batch of petitions claiming the practice is unconstitutional.

The Supreme Court is to rule on whether the instant divorce practice is fundamental to religion.

"We will also examine whether triple talaq is a part of enforceable fundamental right," the court said, as cited by the Hindu.

Opposing sides in the hearings have been given three days for their arguments.

Among the seven petitions filed to the Supreme Court by Muslim women, some complained that they had been divorced through a letter, postcards, as well as on Facebook and Whatsapp.

While a range of Muslim majority countries, such as Turkey, Egypt, Bangladesh and Pakistan, have long abolished the instant divorce, it is still legal under the Indian constitution.

The Muslim organizations favoring the practice say neither government or courts should intervene into personal and religious affairs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month expressed hope that “powerful people will emerge from the community in this country (to) eradicate outdated practices, evolve modern systems," also stating on a different occasion that "injustice should not be done to Muslim women,” NDTV quotes him as saying.

Islam is the second largest religion in India with roughly 172 million Muslims, according to the 2011 census.