More Westerners Waking up to Islam as Gov’t Bans Face Coverings, Leaving Both Muslims and (Ironically) Feminists Angry
The article discusses Portugal’s implementation of a law banning full-face coverings in public, commonly referred to as the “burka law.” Signed by President António José Seguro, the law aims to prohibit clothing that conceals or obstructs a person’s face, with fines ranging from 150 to 3,000 Euros and potential prison sentences for forcing someone to cover their face. Exceptions are made for professional, health, artistic, advertising, or entertainment purposes, and the ban does not apply to aircraft, diplomatic visits, places of worship, or holy sites.
Critics, including Amnesty International Portugal, argue that the law infringes on human rights, particularly targeting Muslim women who choose to wear face coverings as a religious practice. They emphasize that veiling in Islam is frequently enough considered a religious obligation and a matter of personal choice, and such bans could lead to increased social exclusion and marginalization for Muslim women.
Religious texts, like the Quran, are cited to support the view that veiling may be a religious mandate, with some interpretations suggesting it is meant to protect women from harm. The article notes that several othre European nations have enacted similar bans and questions whether the United States should consider similar legislation, citing concerns about Islamic integration and loyalty to religious doctrines over national values. The piece also touches on broader debates regarding cultural norms, religious freedoms, and immigration policies in Western societies.
The Portuguese are realizing that Islam has no place in Europe, much to the chagrin of some vocal residents.
President António José Seguro signed a bill into law banning face coverings in public, dubbed the “burka law.” U.K.-based outlet GB News says the policy was adopted in Lisbon in July with a right-wing coalition in the government favoring it.
Under the new law, wearing clothing meant to hide or obstruct one’s face in public is punishable by fines ranging from 150 Euros up to 3,000 Euros. Forcing someone to cover their face could carry a prison sentence of up to three years.
Exceptions exist for professional, health, artistic, advertising, or entertainment reasons.
The ban also does not apply to aircraft, diplomatic, or consular visits — meaning Islamic countries with officials visiting Portugal will not have to comply — and it does not extend to places of worship, such as mosques, or holy sites.
Executive Director of Amnesty International in Portugal, João Godinho Martins, criticized the law as “a threat to human rights.
“Despite having removed direct references to Islam, which were a part of previous versions of the text, this new law clearly violates the human rights of Muslim women who choose to cover their faces. It is a direct threat to their freedom of expression and freedom of religion.
“No one should dictate what a woman may or may not wear, and no woman should be penalized for practising her faith, cultural identity or beliefs.
“Far from promoting women’s rights as claimed, this blanket ban is likely to have the opposite effect. Women who choose to wear full-face veils may face greater exclusion from public life, social isolation or increased difficulties in accessing education, employment and public services.”
Those comments certainly create a strange amalgamation — Islam and women’s rights.
Veiling in Islam is not a choice for women; it is compulsory. Quran 33:59 reads, “O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks [veils] all over their bodies. That will be better, that they should be known so as not to be annoyed.”
The Islam-critical website The Religion of Peace explains the word annoyed is “yu’dhayna,” the meaning being more accurately “hurt” or “harmed” in the same chapter of the Quran. If a woman does not want harm to come to her, she should cover herself.
The U.K.-based outlet Express reports that 24 other countries have banned the burka, including European ones like the Netherlands, Norway, France, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Belgium.
Do we need similar laws like this in the United States?
It would be a step forward in addressing the larger issue of a growing Islamic population.
Americans incorrectly believe Muslims come to assimilate and our values. Not so — their allegiance is to the Quran and their prophet.
They have no intention of “becoming American,” but wish to insulate themselves within their own communities, ignoring our cultural norms, expectations, and laws.
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