Switzerland Votes to Ban Burkas, Niqabs in Public
Switzerland narrowly voted to ban face coverings in public, including burkas and niqabs worn by Muslim women.
Several groups including the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) brought up the measure and it passed 51.2% to 48.8% on Sunday.
A leading Islamic group condemned the vote to ban burkas and said it’s “a dark day” for Muslims.
“Today’s decision opens old wounds, further expands the principle of legal inequality, and sends a clear signal of exclusion to the Muslim minority,” the Central Council of Muslims said in a statement, adding that it would challenge the decision in court.
CNN reported:
Swiss voters have approved a ban on full facial coverings including niqab and burqa in nearly all public places in a closely contested referendum on Sunday.
