Italy wants to ban Islamic face coverings, mosque funding

By Ketrin Jochecová and Elena Giordano

Italy’s ruling Brothers of Italy party has said it plans to introduce legislation seeking to ban the burqa and niqab face and body coverings in all public spaces nationwide, calling it a bill against “Islamic separatism.”

“Religious freedom is sacred, but it must be exercised in the open, in full respect of our constitution and the principles of the Italian state,” said lawmaker Andrea Delmastro, one of the initiators of the planned bill, in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

The burqa is a full-body garment covering a woman from head to toe, and includes a mesh screen over the eyes. A niqab leaves the area around the eyes clear.

The ban would prohibit the wearing of garments covering the face in all public spaces, including shops, schools and offices. Those who violate the ban would face a fine of €300 to €3,000.

The proposal is part of a broader bill intended to address what the right-wing party of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has described as “cultural separatism” associated with Islam.

“It is a bill that will essentially deal with regulating the funding of mosques, and with preventing and banning the use of the full-face veil. It also emphasizes the legislation against forced marriages. In Italy, we apply our laws which are based on a specific set of values,” said Sara Kelany, head of immigration for Brothers of Italy, during Wednesday’s press conference.

The proposed bill would include increased penalties for forced marriages and requirements that religious groups not formally recognized by the state disclose any foreign funding.

Delmastro said Italy had drawn inspiration from France, the first European country to introduce a full burqa ban in 2011. Since then, Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland and several other countries in Europe and around the world have imposed full or partial bans on women’s clothing related to Islam.

“We have taken inspiration for this law from staunchly secular France, with the deep conviction that no foreign funding should ever undermine our sovereignty or our civilization,” said Delmastro.

Italy already has a law, dating back to 1975, that prohibits complete face covering in public places, though it does not specifically mention burqas.

The Union of Islamic Communities of Italy, one of Italy’s main Islamic organizations, could not be reached for comment.

This article has been updated.