Jon Clarke (Publisher & Editor)COIN will controversially become the first town in Andalucia to ban Islamic religious headwear.
Officials from the socialist-led town hall are set to ban burkas and niqabs from public buildings on June 28.
Mayor Gabriel Clavijo branded the clothing “humiliating for women” and insisted that public institutions should no longer “remain passive”.
“We haven’t come up with this idea to penalise people, nor it is it intended as a repressive measure,” explained Clavijo.
“It is about opening a debate and taking a coherent initiative regarding equality.”
“We haven’t come up with this idea to penalise people, nor it is it intended as a repressive measure.”
Coin officially counts on a Muslim population of 3000 people, attracted by the construction boom of the 90s.
Clavijo claimed that he has recently witnessed a “radicalisation” of the Muslim population.
He cited the fact that increasing numbers of women have been forced to drop out of the Spanish lessons provided by the town hall.
However, he insisted that those in breach of the forthcoming legislation will not be hit with fines.
Local expat Stephen Tiley, boss of currency company Moneycorp, who lives near Coin, said: “It sounds like Clavijo must be on pretty safe ground as I’ve never seen a Burka in Coin.
“And if there really are 3000 Muslims in the Coin area they are keeping a low profile so this legislation seems pointless anyway.”
Coin will follow in the footsteps of a number of Catalan municipalities which have already implemented the Islamic headwear bans.
The Olive Press reported in April that an Islamic girl was suspended for wearing a hijab to school in Madrid.
If women choose to wear this gear then I do not understand this intolerant attitude, using the excuse of male/female equality. It is a religious custom and I don’t think many muslim women see it as being unequal – have you asked them? I think they would find the suggestion insulting. I live in London and there are many muslims around me wearing Burcas with no problems at all. Is not democracy about respecting freedom of choice and not about pandering to a narrow minded seige mentality that thinks everyone covering their face is a threat to the state! Please!. I guess this is what it’s really about otherwise,what about nuns habits!? is that, I wonder, about the lack of female equality –
The argument is a hollow one.
I support the stance taken by Coin, and welcome the opportunity for all members of the community to debate it. I am a well travelled gay man (having lived in muslim countries), that knows all about intolerance, diversity and equality arguments.I’m not anti-islamic, and believe everyone has the right to practice their faiths.Lets be clear, a hijab or nun’s habit allows full facial communication/expression which a burka does not.The Qur’an makes no mention that women should wear a burka, which is an oppressive garment. I dont think this is a narrow/hollow argument about state security. Its a much wider issue about protecting and reaching out to all members of the community, some of whom may be vulnerable. I doubt given a free choice when its 40c outside muslim women would jump at the chance to grab their burkas before stepping outside…..please. We all know how uncomfortable it can be in the heat when you have too many layers on. I’m not one for banning expression but the burka is oppression.
Mike
“Is not democracy about respecting freedom of choice and not about pandering to a narrow minded seige mentality that thinks everyone covering their face is a threat to the state!” Every state that requires the burkas and niqab is not a democracy and when they are in a majority your civil right will be considered irrelevant. You can’t have it both ways. Grow up.