Despite the expected backlash, the Danish government is going ahead with a ban on the wearing of religious or political symbols in courtrooms by judges. Why are they expecting a backlash? Because included in the list with crucifixes, skullcaps, and turbans is the 'hallowed' Islamic headscarf.
The DPP (Danish Peoples Party) used the preceding image as part of it's campaign to promote the ban. Of course, Danish authorities aren't too concerned about the possibility of rioting Christians, Jews, and Sikhs.
Known as a niqāb, this particular form of garb has been front and center in various legal debates around the western world. Just this past Monday a US federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by a Muslim woman from Michigan filed after the judge in her court case required that she remove her niqāb.
It's not that I am totally opposed to the burka or niqāb, and if you wish to wear one that's fine with me... however, in a modern society there must be rules that apply to everyone. One could certainly argue for the right to wear a head scarf and might wonder why a government, other than for the sake of conformity, would want to restrict that right. But the needs of society can at times outweigh the needs, rights, and freedoms of the individual. There a multitude of places and reasons to restrict total personal anonymity, banks are one easy one to see, as the courtroom is another. The wearing of a niqāb complete with eye screen might by your religious belief... but anyone can see that wearing one for your driver's license (and people have tried and challenged this too) is absurd. What's the point if you can't identify the person on the license?
I for one applaud Denmark's stand, and law
~Pelagius~
~S P Q R~
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