The Netherlands Enforce a Full Burqa Ban in Public Spaces
by Selina Bakkar in World on 1st August, 2019
The Dutch government in the Netherlands has today passed a burqa ban. The controversial law means than the estimated 200-400 Muslim women (there are no official figures available) will be affected. Those that observe the burqa are being forced to adhere to the law in public places which span across public transport links, schools, hospitals and places of work, or face a penalty of €150. Exemptions apply only in mosques, other religious buildings and for women travelling through the International Dutch airports. The ban also applies to balaclavas and full-face helmets.
Some police, hospital, and public transport officials have expressed that they won’t enforce the new law, a spokesman of the public transport sector Pedro Peters told the AD newspaper.
“The police told us they will not attend incidents on a train, bus or metro within half an hour so that means we would be stuck. The service cannot be interrupted.”
Dutch police signal unwillingness to enforce new 'burqa ban' https://t.co/tHR75dspud
— The Guardian (@guardian) August 1, 2019
In Parliament, Dutch cabinet ministers have previously asserted that the burqa does “not fit into our open society and women must participate fully.” Geert Wilders, the anti-Islam politician who has previously run for the prime minister and lost by a significant margin in 2017, has been pushing for the ban for 10 years. In 2010, 9 years ago he shared with Dutch Parliament,
“The message, ‘stop Islam, defend freedom’, is a message that’s not only important for the Netherlands but for the whole free Western world”.
Wilders’ pinned tweet reminds everyone of the commencement of the law along with the hashtags #boerkaverbod (Burqa Ban) and #stopislam. He recently tweeted this Islamophobic message:
What’s been shocking and dangerous is the Islamophobic rhetoric around the ban from both Dutch media and cabinet ministers. Senator Marjolein Faber-Van de Klashorst who is in Wilders’ party called it:
“…a historical day because this is the first step to de-Islamize the Netherlands. This is the first step and the next step is to close all the mosques in the Netherlands,” she said, building on Wilders’ anti-Islam rhetoric,” according to the Associated Press.
Dutch newspaper's infographic on the burqa ban (in force tomorrow): What can you do if you spot one? you can make a citizen's arrest. if someone tries to escape, you can hold that person to the ground… pic.twitter.com/lmV4bNDoaO
— Martijn de Koning (@Martijn5155) July 31, 2019
Dutch newspaper published an article today about the upcoming burqa ban. One of the paragraphs explains people ‘what to do’ when spotting a burqa wearing woman. This type of ‘journalism’ incites extremist individuals to take matters into their own hands. A dangerous development. pic.twitter.com/NO9zl0M6Ah
— Sakir Khader (@sakirkhader) July 31, 2019
Last tweets from police finally advised people to exercise caution with this but damage has been done and the Dutch far right is loudly proclaiming that the hunt is on. Incredibly worrying developments here from media, extremists and the state.
— Nuoun🏴 (@nuooons) July 31, 2019
A Dutch newspaper( AD) has published an "how to" for islamophobes who want to enforce the niqab/burqa ban when it comes into effect in August including citizen's arrest. It legitimizes hate and violence. Shame on AD!
— Miandelam (@Miandelam) July 31, 2019
Other’s who agree that the ban is wrong along with Islamophobes expressing their opinions
I’m genuinely shocked to hear of the burqa ban in Netherlands. Women have the right to wear what they want. 😔👎🏼 https://t.co/JWqt5h07qf
— ✨Cheryl Louise✨ (@MsCherylLouiseK) August 1, 2019
i’m sick and tired of you all’s selective feminism when it comes to muslim women. the burqa ban is a ban on the freedom to dress the way we want. us women should be free to dress as covered and uncovered as we want. the government shouldn’t be playing any part in this.
— sjai (@particularbrady) July 27, 2019
"Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema was criticised by MPs and ministers last year for telling local broadcaster AT5 that she did not consider that ‘hauling someone out of the tram for wearing a niqab’ was ‘fitting’ in Amsterdam."https://t.co/JLawD6B2FD
— Omar Bouazza Ariño (@BouArio) July 31, 2019
Crazy how the Netherlands are comparable to Belgium in so many ways but still very different. Because Muslim women in Belgium received no solidarity or sympathy when the “burqa”/niqab ban was installed
— إناس (@zeytounade) August 1, 2019
Not one muslim has obeyed the new law in the Netherlands and the police are not enforcing it so what the fk was the point.
— CCFC fan. (@Stu_pdj) August 1, 2019
This! Also, let us note once again what feminism looks like. Respect to the few women organisations who speak out against the Dutch burqa ban. And with 'few' I mean feeeew.
Also, salutes to the awe-mazing @SafaTweets for creating #boerkabuddies . Bijlmer area, present! https://t.co/650YvTjpPu
— Simone Zeefuik (@simbuktu) July 31, 2019
I understood that, but you’re wrong about the law. The law is against any kind of face-covering in public, for the reason I gave. It is NOT an anti-burqa/niqab law. I am also from the Netherlands and I agree with this law. I’m surprised you don’t. It is a shame it is required.😉
— Tardi Gradian (@Tardigradian) August 1, 2019
Dutch transport firms won’t enforce ‘unworkable’ burka ban https://t.co/6TfP7s9DpK
— DutchNews.NL (@DutchNewsNL) July 26, 2019
@SaharAlFaifi tomorrow there will be a partial burka ban in the Netherlands. Newspapers today tell people they can make a civil arrest ('hold them to the ground') when they see a woman with niqab in a hospital or school. Please remember us in your dua
— moslimama (@MamaNiqabi) July 31, 2019
Selina Bakkar
I'm a simply striving to be better and improve in different areas of my life through more self awareness, experiences and learning more about the deen. You'll find me talking about community, connection, planting & growing, seeking the truth in an age of propaganda and misinformation. This year I want to document more to do with food heritage and history so watch this space or reach out. Have a listen to the Amaliah Voices podcast where I talk passionately about Islam, nature, motherhooding and back home. Link in bio peeps. To join the Amaliah Writer Community email me at selina@amaliah.com IG: SelinaBakkar
