Switzerland Bans Face-Covering Attire Including Chador

The Swiss parliament has implemented a ban on wearing face-covering attire in public spaces. This prohibition encompasses various categories of clothing, including women's Muslim attire such as the niqab, burqa, chador, and hijab, as reported by Bloomberg.

The ban applies to all citizens, including football fans, as well as left and right-wing radicals who often conceal their faces during demonstrations. However, the law includes certain exceptions that allow face-covering in religious places, for health reasons, or during entertainment events, such as carnivals.

Violating this ban carries a fine of 1,000 Swiss francs ($1,116). The law was proposed by the Swiss People's Party, and during the campaign for its adoption, there was a strong emphasis on the need to combat extremism.

It is important to note that in a nationwide referendum in 2021, the majority of Swiss citizens (51%) supported this ban. However, the law faced strong criticism from the Muslim community, which viewed it as an expression of "anti-Muslim hatred." During the referendum, the campaign to ban face coverings was criticized by Muslim groups. Ines El-Shikh, a spokesperson for the Muslim women's group "Purple Scarves," told AFP news agency that "only 30 women in Switzerland wear the niqab," while the Islamic Central Council of Switzerland claimed that the vote demonstrated how anti-Muslim hatred had spread throughout the country.

In France, state schools decided in August of the current year to prohibit the wearing of abayas – long dresses with sleeves that Muslim women often choose as an addition to the hijab.

In 2004, France adopted a law prohibiting "the wearing of any signs or clothing in schools that could indicate the religious affiliation of students." This applied to large crosses, Jewish skullcaps, and Islamic headscarves.

In 2022, the National Education issued a directive adding abayas to the list of clothing items that could be banned if worn "with the intent to openly demonstrate their religious affiliation." This directive also mentioned headbands and long skirts.