Germany could impose a ban on women wearing burkas or full-face Islamic veils at schools and universities and while driving, under proposals announced by Angela Merkel’s party. They have no place in our society.” The proposals stop short of the complete ban called for by senior figures in Merkel’s Christian Democrat party (CDU). Instead what has been described as a “burka ban lite” will also apply to women working as public officials, attending public demonstrations, and in court. A study in 2009 found more than two thirds of Muslim women in Germany wear no hair or face covering. Calls for a burka ban have been largely led by the CDU ministers of two regions holding elections next month — Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Berlin — where the party is under pressure from the Right-wing anti-immigration Alternative for Germany party.

Source: National Post August 20, 2016 14:21 UTC