France and Belgium may ban Islamic face coverings

It’s about security and women’s rights. Cited was social integration and living together in society with common values and human rights.

The security argument is easily met by the threat of known terrorists walking the streets hiding behind burqas.

In France a government spokesman said the French president considered that burqa-style veils that hide the face, such as niqabs, "do not pose a problem in a religious sense, but threaten the dignity of women."

Muslim leaders in France say that the face-covering veil is not a religious requirement of Islam but have cautioned against banning the garment.

In Belgium presidential spokesman Luc Chatel said the ban should be generalized for all public spaces, but should not stigmatize Muslims. The legislation has drawn support from some Muslim lawmakers and women's rights groups.

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