Legal Commentary

Syria Banning Wearing of Burqa at Universities ? and Maybe Soon in Other Places, Too?

By Eugene Volokh

The Daily Star (UK) reports,

Syria has become the first Muslim country to ban the burka, claiming the face mask encourages Islamic extremism....

Government officials made the move despite the nation?s 22million population being 87% Muslim. It came after several European states launched similar measures....

The ban will take place first in universities with plans to extend it to everyday life.

A Government spokesman added: ?We have given directives to all universities to ban niqab-wearing women from registering.? ...

But other stories (e.g., from CNN) report only on the ban in universities, and don?t mention any plans for a broader ban. Note also that this is limited to the veil (burqa), and does not apply to headscarves or other such garments. Thanks to Prof. Howard Friedman (Religion Clause) for the pointer.

Full post as published by The Volokh Conspiracy on July 20, 2010 (boomark / email).