NIQAB BAN IN PROCESS

A Belgian parliamentary committee has voted to ban the full Islamic face veil. If the move is ratified on April 22, as expected, Belgium would become the first country in Europe to enforce such a ban. The federal parliament’s Home Affairs Committee voted unanimously to endorse a draft law proposed by Belgium’s French-speaking liberals to ban clothes or veils that do not allow the wearer to be fully identified. Burqa-wearers face a 25 euro fine and/or up to seven days in jail if the bill is passed. The ban would go into effect immediately and would cover all public grounds - streets, public gardens, sports grounds and buildings.