Belgium Likely to Ban Burqa from Public Places

Belgium is likely to become the first European country to ban the burqa after a parliamentary committee backed a proposal to ban any clothing that doesn’t allow the wearer to be properly identified, including the full-face niqab (veil) and cloak, worn by some Muslim women, said reports in the international media on Thursday.

According to the reports, those ignoring the ban could face fines of £22 and a jail sentence of up to seven days.

A top Belgian MP has predicted that the legislation would receive full parliamentary backing on April 22.

The legislation, however, could come in for judicial challenges.