Muslim women in the Netherlands who wear a burqa in public may soon risk being fined 380 euros. But they need not fear; French businessman Rachid Nekkaz is willing to step in and pay their fines.
With the new burqa ban, the Netherlands will be following the lead of both France and Belgium, where Mr Nekkaz has already forked out for burqa-wearers.
Mr Nekkaz, a Muslim with an Algerian background, has set up a million-euro fund in France to pay the fines. He thinks burqa bans violate European constitutional rights and fundamental freedoms, even though he personally believes burqas do not help integration:
“Personally I am against burqas, because I don’t think wearing a niqaab helps the integration of these women into French society.”
Civil liberties
After the introduction of a burqa ban in France, Mr Nekkaz set up the organisation Touche Pas à Ma Constitution or Don’t Touch My Constitution. The organisation will also help Dutch women if the ban is introduced. “Dutch women who get fined can phone me.” Mr Nekkaz says. “My number is on the internet.”
And it is not just an empty promise. The rich 38-year-old entrepreneur has already paid fines for two girls in Brussels. He says one million euros may be a lot of money, but it is nothing if it enables you to defend your civil liberties.
Dutch ban
The cabinet will decide on the ban today. Then it still has to go through parliament, but it is already clear that a parliamentary majority backs the measure. The main argument for introducing the ban is that the garment impedes human contact. Most employers do not want their female staff to wear garments which cover their faces.
Opponents say that women who wear burqas or niqaabs for their religion will not be stopped by a 380-euro fine.
In Belgium, legal proceedings have been taken against the ban (which includes the niqaab). The court's verdict is expected soon.
In France, Rachid Nekkaz has taken things a step further: he is standing for the presidential elections in 2012. He did the same in 2007, but failed.
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Even those most vehemently opposed to the wearing of burkas should oppose laws prohibiting them. More women in France wear them now than before their law was passed.
I don't like people wearing sunglasses as I can't see their eyes; could you ban these please?
And wide-brimmed hats are a problem for my CCTV video recording; perhaps the Govt, if not too busy, could set a minimum hat width for urban use?
How nice to be living in a country where the govt pay attention to all the little things in life....
"France bans Muslim street prayers" (Deutsche Welle)... I wonder if he is going to pay the fines for those praying in the streets.
"If I traveled to Iran I would have to cover my hair to gain respect..here she has to show her face to gain respect." Response: If you are a woman and go to Iran and cover your face, you still will not get any respect. Women are not considered equal with men. They don't have choices like women in France. Women in the West are still not treated as equal to men in many aspects but their rights are far better than women in Islamic countries. Don't blame Muslim women for their lifestyle. It is forced upon them by their husbands and religious communties.
Muslims do not wear niqab, only extremist talibans do, they should not fine women wearing it, they should deport them directly to Afghanistan where they belong and will feel more comfortable than in a country with freedoms like the Netherlands.
The religion is not the problem here. It`s that when wearing a burka people can´t see who you are, the police can`t see you, we don´t know who is hiding, is it a man or woman... the opportunity to do whatever you want without anyone can know who you are. That`s the problem. If you believe in islam or christian or other religions, doesn`t matter. And then ofcourse the womens right! However if a woman in the developed world do choose to walk around hidden for people and envirement it`s her choice to not get her rights. But we can`t allow it here becasue we want to see people in their eyes when we speak with them and know if they are smiling or not. If a woman want to go in her burka she will have to choose to stay in one of the countries she belong to. If I traveled to Iran I would have to cover my hair to gain respect..here she has to show her face to gain respect.
The religion is not the problem here. It`s that when wearing a burka people can´t see who you are, the police can`t see you, we don´t know who is hiding, is it a man or woman... the opportunity to do whatever you want without anyone can know who you are. That`s the problem. If you believe in islam or christian or other religions, doesn`t matter. And then ofcourse the womens right! However if a woman in the developed world do choose to walk around hidden for people and envirement it`s her choice to not get her rights. But we can`t allow it here becasue we want to see people in their eyes when we speak with them and know if they are smiling or not. If a woman want to go in her burka she will have to choose to stay in one of the countries she belong to. If I traveled to Iran I would have to cover my hair to gain respect..here she has to show her face to gain respect.
The religion is not the problem here. It`s that when wearing a burka people can´t see who you are, the police can`t see you, we don´t know who is hiding, is it a man or woman... the opportunity to do whatever you want without anyone can know who you are. That`s the problem. If you believe in islam or christian or other religions, doesn`t matter. And then ofcourse the womens right! However if a woman in the developed world do choose to walk around hidden for people and envirement it`s her choice to not get her rights. But we can`t allow it here becasue we want to see people in their eyes when we speak with them and know if they are smiling or not. If a woman want to go in her burka she will have to choose to stay in one of the countries she belong to. If I traveled to Iran I would have to cover my hair to gain respect..here she has to show her face to gain respect.
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