Spain rejects proposal to ban burqa

By AGENCIES

MADRID: Spain's Parliament has rejected a proposal to ban women from wearing in public places Islamic veils that reveal only the eyes.

The proposal was debated late Tuesday; 183 lawmakers opposed the ban, 162 lawmakers voted for it and two abstained.

The nonbinding proposal had been put forward by the leading opposition Popular Party, which portrayed it as a measure in support of women's rights. The ruling Socialist Party opposed the ban.

Other European countries have also debated banning body covering clothing such as burqas or niqabs. Within Spain, the city government of northeastern Barcelona and some neighboring town councils have banned the wearing of such garb in public buildings such as town halls and hospitals.

Opponents of a ban say it will harm democracy and violate religious rights while supporters say it is a matter of national security and of adaptation to local customs.

Comments

ABDULLAH JOHN

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The rain in Spain comes mainly...maybe this is the semblance of sensiblity...raining down on Andaluc

ABDULLAH JOHN

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Spain can win at more than soccer inshaAllah

ISMAIL.IBRAHIM PERINJE

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KUDOS TO SPANIARDS.DEMOCRACY STANDS FOR NOT FORCE BUT FOR FREEDOM.THANK YOU SPAIN FOR NOT FORCING BURQA BAN.

KATIE HOLMES

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amazing

democracy prevails!

THE INTELLECTUAL1000

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Veils are not Islamic, it has been made Islamic by wannabe heroes of Islam around the world because they saw women in Saudi wearing veils. Its Saudi culture, doesn't make it a religious obligation for 1.2 billion Muslims around the world.
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