Germany’s potential Burqa Ban: Muslim Journalist reacts

The controversy over the Burkini Ban that has gripped France for the past few months now appears to be spilling over to Germany. The ‘Burkini” a full-body swimsuit designed for Muslim women was originally banned by the French town of Cannes during the annual film festival. Cannes Mayor said the Burkini represents the forces France is fighting, and that it may create some unruly incidents on the town’s beaches.

So far three Mediterranean towns – Cannes, Villeneuve-Loubet and Sisco on the island of Corsica – have banned the burkini, and Le Touquet on the Atlantic coast is planning to do the same. France has already banned the Full Burqa or the Islamic veil.

Similar plans are being discussed by other EU countries and the influx of Muslim refugees in Germany has lead to a similar debate in Germany where Thomas de Maiziere, Germany’s Interior Minister has called for a partial burqa ban.

“It doesn’t fit in with our open society. Showing the face is a constituent element for our communication, the way we live, our social cohesion. That is why we call on everyone to show their face.” says the Interior Minister.

Germany far right AFD party has not only called for a full ban on the Burqa but also on Adhan, which is the Islamic call to prayer.

Reacting to the Minister’s comments, Germany’s outspoken Ahmadiyya Muslim journalist Khola Maryam Hübsch said that in her opinion the Burqa ban is a “constitutional matter rather than a controversial one”. Hence she is surprised that every now and then the far right will bring up something that is inconceivable. Hübsch says, “However, a general ban will never get through”.

” The constitutional and legislative body in Germany states that the ban is unconstitutional and according to political constitutions it will not be in accordance. Yet the whole discussion about the banning of the burqa is being discussed. “

Hübsch went on to say that “this is a matter of wanting to achieve a point now, The Minister’s comments show how some specific minorities are not wanted and hence the proposed ban on certain clothes”

She went on to say there is no theological reason behind the full veil as there is no reference to the burqa in the Qur’an, but this is constitutionally relevant. Women who choose to wear the burqa define what it means to them, whether they wear it for religious reasons or they have a desire to wear it for any other reason should not be an issue. Many women, especially in France, who converted to Islam and wear the niqab have mentioned in interviews that they find themselves determined and are not forced to do so. This too is part of reality and people have to accept their choices.

” Some have linked the full veiled Burqa with security issues, But looking at this from a realistic perspective, there hasn’t ever been an incident where a crime was committed using a burqa. How has affected France ? Where even after the ban on the burqa, terrorist attacks have still taken place? There is obviously no connection and this whole thing is just bizarre and been blown out of proportion. “

Many in Germany believe the issue is being used to distract people’s attention from other important ahead of regional elections. While Federal elections will take place around the same time next year.

Meymona is a London-based writer.
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