Austria puts burka ban into action
THIS Muslim woman was among the first to be forced to comply with Austria’s burka ban, which came into force yesterday.
The unidentified woman, wearing a cream-coloured niqab, was confronted by police as she shopped in the western town of Zell am See.
The law does not require the removal of the hijab, which covers the hair, but concealing the face in public risks a 150 euro (£132) fine. Only under certain conditions, such as ‘at cultural events’, will people be exempt.
The legislation, brought in by the embattled Centrist government of Chancellor Christian Kern, aims to ensure the ‘cohesion of society’ and ‘respect for Austrian values’.
Other measures include migrants signing an ‘integration contract’ and compulsory German courses.