Sri Lankan Cabinet approves proposed ban on burqas in public
Colombo, Sri Lanka AP Sri Lanka’s Cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposed ban on wearing full-face veils including Muslim burqas in public, citing national security grounds, despite a UN expert’s comment that it would violate international law. The Cabinet approved the proposal by Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekera at its weekly meeting, Weerasekara said on […]
Sri Lanka to take time to consider proposed ban on burqa
Colombo, Sri LankaAP Sri Lanka’s government said Tuesday it would take time to consider a proposed ban on the wearing of burqas, which a top security official called a sign of religious extremism. Sri Lanka’s Minister of Public Security, Sarath Weerasekara, said Saturday he was seeking Cabinet approval to ban burqas – a garment worn […]
Concerns rise over Sri Lanka’s move to ban burqas
Colombo, Sri Lanka AP A Pakistani diplomat and a UN expert have expressed concerns over Sri Lanka’s proposed move to ban the wearing of burqas. Sri Lanka announced plans over the weekend to ban the wearing of burqas – garments worn by some Muslim women that cover the body and face – and also said […]
Sri Lanka to ban burqas, close over 1,000 Islamic schools
Colombo, Sri Lanka AP Sri Lanka on Saturday announced plans to ban the wearing of burqas and said it would close more than 1,000 Islamic schools known as madrassas, citing national security. Minister of Public Security Sarath Weerasekara said he signed a paper on Friday seeking the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers to ban […]
UN rights office laments Swiss ban on Muslim face-coverings
Geneva, Switzerland AP The UN human rights office expressed dismay on Tuesday that Switzerland is set to join a few other countries where “actively discriminating against Muslim women” is legal, after Swiss voters approved a ban on face coverings like burqas and niqabs that some Muslim women wear. In a referendum on Sunday, Swiss voters […]