Swiss Muslims speak out against proposed 'burka ban'

Muslims living in Switzerland have spoken against a proposal to ban the wearing of facial coverings in public places.

The “burka ban”, as it has come to be known, was initiated by the Egerkinger Komitee, which is a group belonging to the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP).

The Swiss are expected to vote in a referendum about the “burka ban” on March 7.

The proposed law mandates that “no one shall cover their face in public” and that “no one is permitted to force someone to cover their face based on their gender”.

The Swiss government has recommended voters reject the proposal but polls in local media outlets suggest that voters will narrowly approve the law.

Some Muslims living in the country say the proposal is aimed at targeting them. If the vote is successful, it could see facial coverings, such as the niqab (worn by some Muslim women), banned from being worn in public.

The Islamic Central Council of Switzerland said there was no need for the proposed law on facial coverings.

“You are criminalising women for wearing something,” said Janina Rashidi, the organisation’s spokeswoman.

“I can understand that covering the face, for some people, might look strange,” she said, “but there are so many things in our society that look strange to one or the other.”

A 32-year-old Swiss Muslim, Valentina, who wears niqab, said she feels very said with the proposed law “because the initiative’s propaganda is based on the idea that we niqab wearers are terrorists”.