I don't claim to know much, or indeed anything, about Catalan or Spanish politics but it seems that this new 'initiative' is largely being led by far right political groups who despite saying publicly that they want to “use all options under our legal system and to proceed with rules to prohibit the public use of the ‘burqa’ and the ‘niqab’ to ensure equality, freedom and security. ” it seems to me that the opposite is true.
I'm not writing this post to argue the merits of whether the Burqa is oppressive to women*, although I do personally think it is, but to stress that it's just as oppressive to say that they can't wear it. If the women who do wear the Burqa and Niqab out of choice then who are we (non Muslims) to say that they can't. OK, I get that in places that could be deemed high security then maybe an alternative solution needs to be found, but surely a side room where the women only need to show their face to a couple of officials before entering a building or airport security would suffice?
And what of the women who are forced to wear it? I fear that they will simply disappear from the public eye. Will they be allowed to leave the house? So much for equality and freedom. This just seems like a not so thinly veiled attempt to drive out the large communities of Moroccans, Algerians and other Muslims who have made this region their home. If this ban is about giving equality to Muslim women and the parties involved are genuinely concerned about equal rights, then how come they turn a blind eye to the many illegal brothels than run the length and breadth of the highways of the country, where many North African women so therefore Muslims ply their trade.
Another flip side to this is of course, that instead of countering radical Islam it will just drive it further underground, probably pushing more and more non radical Muslims to turn to terrorist groups as they feel more and more oppressed. Therefore making another terrorist attack in Spain, like the Madrid Train Bombings back in 2004 where 191 people lost their lives, much more likely.
I know that other European countries are considering following suit, the French are currently debating to bring about a ban in public buildings and Belguim has approved a draft law that is waiting to undergo a senate vote. I am appalled that politicians think that banning the Burqa is going to have a positive effect on communities, or that by driving these women underground will do anything good for national security. It amazes me that they try and justify it by saying that their clothes are oppressive to women, surely banning them is just as if not more oppressive.
*Emily from Pantswithnames wrote a post on this subject on her previous blog BritsinBosnia
