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French women face fine over niqab
21 September 2011 Last updated at 20:44 ET
Several European countries have banned – or intend to ban – the wearing of the niqab in publicTwo French women who continue to wear the full-face veil in defiance of a new law banning it in France are set to appear in court for sentencing.
Hind Amas and Kenza Drider were caught wearing the niqab in public outside Meaux town hall, eastern Paris, in May.
They could become the first of 91 women stopped by French police to be handed the 150 euro (£130) fine.
Campaigners say if a fine is imposed they will appeal against it all the way to the European Court of Human Rights.
Thursday’s sentencing in Meaux will be closely followed not just here in France but probably right across Europe.
Belgium, Italy, Denmark, Austria, the Netherlands and Switzerland all have – or are planning – similar legislation.
Assault claims
Divorced mother Amas, 32, who will be sentenced with fellow campaigner and mother-of-three Drider, has become a champion for several hundred women in France who insist wearing the niqab is a personal choice and a right enshrined by European law.
Hind’s parents were not strict Muslims. She put on the niqab for the first time six years ago as an educated single woman.
She claims she once wore mini-skirts and liked to party before she rediscovered her faith.
Some Muslim groups say since the ban was introduced in April a number of women have been assaulted both verbally and physically by members of the public.
These two women would most likely have to exhaust the appeals process here in France – which can take considerable time – before they can hope to test the legislation in the European court in Strasbourg.
Muslim headscarves
- The word hijab comes from the Arabic for veil and is used to describe the headscarves worn by Muslim women. These scarves come in myriad styles and colours. The type most commonly worn in the West is a square scarf that covers the head and neck but leaves the face clear.
- The niqab is a veil for the face that leaves the area around the eyes clear. However, it may be worn with a separate eye veil. It is worn with an accompanying headscarf.
- The burka is the most concealing of all Islamic veils. It covers the entire face and body, leaving just a mesh screen to see through.
- The al-amira is a two-piece veil. It consists of a close fitting cap, usually made from cotton or polyester, and an accompanying tube-like scarf.
- The shayla is a long, rectangular scarf popular in the Gulf region. It is wrapped around the head and tucked or pinned in place at the shoulders.
- The khimar is a long, cape-like veil that hangs down to just above the waist. It covers the hair, neck and shoulders completely, but leaves the face clear.
- The chador, worn by many Iranian women when outside the house, is a full-body cloak. It is often accompanied by a smaller headscarf underneath.
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