Dutch Lawmakers Vote to Ban Islamic Veils as Video Shows Dutch Muslims Chanting 'Allahu Akbar' in the Streets
06-27-2018
Dutch senators have approved a bill to ban the burqa from some public locations, including schools and hospitals.
The bill would prohibit wearing clothing that completely covers the face, or only shows the eyes, in schools and universities, government buildings, hospitals or on public transportation.
Dutch Sen. Marjolein Faber-Van Klashorst said, "I think this is a historic day because this is the first step to de-Islamize the Netherlands. We think it is necessary because we want to protect the civilization, western freedoms. And so this is the first step and the next step is to close all the mosques in the Netherlands."
The Netherlands joins Austria, Belgium, France and Germany, who have already banned the veil. Violators will face a €400 ($464) fine.
Critics say the move will open Muslim women up to verbal and physical attacks by the Muslim community and isolate them for fear of going out without their coverings.
There are an estimated 850,000 Muslims in the Netherlands, a nation of only 17 million, and an estimated half million of them are Turkish.
Video from Twitter shows that after Turkish President Erdogan was reelected Sunday, Turks filled Dutch streets and chanted "Allahu Akbar" or "Allah is greater."
#Erdogan's fans in #Amsterdam celebrate his election win with Ottoman military band march and religious chants. #Turkey's president received 73 percent of votes of Turkish diaspora in the #Netherlands. pic.twitter.com/MZPMisVPvm
— Abdullah Bozkurt (@abdbozkurt) June 26, 2018
Turkey's president received 73 percent of Turkish votes in the Netherlands.
