Danish Muslim Women Protest As Ban On Face Veils Enters Full Force

Carol Kuruvilla
Women wearing niqab to veil their faces take part in a demonstration on Aug. 1, 2018, the first day of the implementation of the Danish face veil ban, in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo: MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN via Getty Images)
Women wearing niqab to veil their faces take part in a demonstration on Aug. 1, 2018, the first day of the implementation of the Danish face veil ban, in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo: MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN via Getty Images)

Muslim women and their allies organized protests in two Danish cities on Wednesday, as a ban on wearing face veils in public took effect in Denmark.

Protesters gathered in the capital city of Copenhagen and Aarhus, Denmark’s second-largest city, to condemn the government for a law they claim infringes on women’s rights to freedom of expression and religion.

Some of the hundreds of Muslim and non-Muslim Danes who attended the Copenhagen protests flouted the new ban by wearing the niqab, an Islamic face veil that leaves the eye area open, Reuters reported. Others wore the body-length burqa, which covers the eyes with a mesh screen. Muslim women who do not wear face veils also participated in the protests.

Danish police told Reuters that people who wear face veils during a peaceful protest are exempt from the ban. As a result, they said none of Wednesday’s protesters will be punished for veiling as part of the protest.

The Copenhagen protesters marched from Norrebro, a neighborhood with a strong immigrant population, to the Bellahoj police station, which lies on the outskirts of the city.

Veiled women take part in a demonstration against the veil ban on Aug. 1, 2018, the first day of the implementation of the Danish face veil ban, in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo: MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN via Getty Images)
Veiled women take part in a demonstration against the veil ban on Aug. 1, 2018, the first day of the implementation of the Danish face veil ban, in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo: MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN via Getty Images)

Starting on Wednesday, first-time offenders of the Danish ban on face veils in public risk a fine of 1,000 kroner (around $150). Repeated offenses could lead to fines of up to 10,000 kroner (around $1,500) plus a jail sentence of up to six months.

The ban also prohibits balaclavas, false beards and other masks that obscure the face, according to Amnesty International. It doesn’t apply to headscarves, turbans or the kippah, the Jewish skullcap. Face coverings worn for a “recognizable purpose,” such as during cold weather or motorcycle rides, are also exempt.

The law allows police to tell women to remove their face veils or leave public areas. Denmark’s justice minister Soren Pape Poulsen has said that police officers who see women with face veils on the street will most likely fine them and tell them to go home.

Women carry signs defending their right to wear Islamic face veils during a protest in Copenhagen on Aug. 1, 2018. (Photo: MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN via Getty Images)
Women carry signs defending their right to wear Islamic face veils during a protest in Copenhagen on Aug. 1, 2018. (Photo: MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN via Getty Images)

Denmark’s center-right government passed the ban in May, joining countries like France, Austria and Belgium that have also placed restrictions on wearing Islamic face veils in public.

The Danish government claims the law is not aimed at any specific religion and is instead intended to uphold secular and democratic values. Still, protesters believe the ban targets conservative Muslim women who wear niqabs and burqas.

Danes who approved of the ban also rallied in Copenhagen on Wednesday. Supporters claim the ban helps Muslim immigrants integrate into Danish society.

Marcus Knuth, a Danish politician who called for the mass deportation of refugees living in Denmark, has claimed full-face Islamic veils are “strongly oppressive.”

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People take part in a demonstration organized by the 'For Frihed' (For Freedom), which supports the face veil ban, on Aug. 1, 2018. (Photo: BAX LINDHARDT via Getty Images)
People take part in a demonstration organized by the 'For Frihed' (For Freedom), which supports the face veil ban, on Aug. 1, 2018. (Photo: BAX LINDHARDT via Getty Images)

Human rights advocates have decried the law, claiming such a blanket ban is neither necessary nor proportionate. Research indicates only about 150 - 200 Muslim women in Denmark choose to wear the niqab or burqa. Muslims make up about 5 percent of Denmark’s population.

“If the intention of this law was to protect women’s rights it fails abjectly,” Fotis Filippou, deputy Europe director of Amnesty International, said in a statement. “Instead, the law criminalizes women for their choice of clothing - making a mockery of the freedoms Denmark purports to uphold.”

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The Hijab

A hijab is a head covering only. It can be worn many different ways including as a simple wrap around, shown here, or Al Amirah style. Regular clothes that cover the arms, shoulders and legs may be worn with the hijab. Women who wear the hijab are Muhajaba, which means they are wearing it for religious purposes.
A hijab is a head covering only. It can be worn many different ways including as a simple wrap around, shown here, or Al Amirah style. Regular clothes that cover the arms, shoulders and legs may be worn with the hijab. Women who wear the hijab are Muhajaba, which means they are wearing it for religious purposes.

Hijab in Action

Sheila & Abaya

An abaya is a long black, loose fitting cloak that often zips or buttons up the front. The sheila is a rectangular scarf that covers the head. Usually made of light silk material and most often found in black, but can be as simple or elaborate as the wearer so chooses. Generally these garments are part of a region's traditional dress, and are therefore worn for cultural reasons rather than religious purposes.

The Niqab

Often mistaken for a burqa, the niqab fully covers the body, but only partially covers the face, leaving a narrow opening for the eyes. Driving while veiled: now a misdemeanor in France.
Often mistaken for a burqa, the niqab fully covers the body, but only partially covers the face, leaving a narrow opening for the eyes. Driving while veiled: now a misdemeanor in France.

The Batula

The Batula is a face covering generally worn by older women in the Gulf region. This is a style that is slowly being depleted and not carried forward by younger generations.
The Batula is a face covering generally worn by older women in the Gulf region. This is a style that is slowly being depleted and not carried forward by younger generations.

The Burqa

Burqas come in many colors and fully covers the wearer, often there is a net window over the eyes so the wearer can see out, but no one can see in.
Burqas come in many colors and fully covers the wearer, often there is a net window over the eyes so the wearer can see out, but no one can see in.

Burqas & Bicycles

This particular burqa is called the chadri, the light blue color and style is native to Afghanistan.
This particular burqa is called the chadri, the light blue color and style is native to Afghanistan.

Doa Gaun

"Doa gaun" or "dress for praying." This dress slips over the clothing of women in two pieces...the gown and the headscarf. It is very common in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. The doa gaun is usually carried with women when they are on the go. They can stop in the nearest Masjid, or suaru (a place for prayer), slip this over the clothing they are wearing, worship and take it off to continue the day.

The Chador

The Chador is more common to Iran. It is a long billowing dress that leaves the face open but covers the wrists and ankles. Chador's in a more plain black color with less decorative embellishments.
The Chador is more common to Iran. It is a long billowing dress that leaves the face open but covers the wrists and ankles. Chador's in a more plain black color with less decorative embellishments.

The Birquini

Fully covering beachwear made of lightweight swimsuit material.
Fully covering beachwear made of lightweight swimsuit material.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.