- Saudi Arabia's embassy in Vienna has urged Saudis respect the country's 'niqab ban'
- Its warning stands in contrast to Saudi rules imposing religious dress
- The controversial law comes into effect on October 1
- Austria is just the latest European nation to impose such a restriction
by Rosie Alfatlawi
The Saudi embassy in Austria has urged compliance with the European nation’s ‘niqab ban’ due to come into force on Oct. 1.
In a tweet from its official Twitter account, the embassy warned visitors to Austria about the law, which will impose a fine of €150 (approx $180) on anyone covering their face in public places.
The so-called “integration” policy will also require the offending garment to be removed “on the spot”, under threat of police detention.
بدء تطبيق قانون حظر تغطية الوجه في جمهورية النمسا#المواطن_السفير#السفر_إلى_النمسا #تحذيرات_السفر#السياحه_في_النمسا pic.twitter.com/LPZ5BjJoux
— السفارة في النمسا (@KSAembassyAT) September 21, 2017
The beginning of the application of the law prohibiting face covering in the Republic of Austria #Citizen_ ambassador# Travel to Austria# Travel warnings# Tourism_In Austria
“The embassy hopes that our brothers and sisters, the [Saudi] citizens, will respect this law when visiting the Austrian Republic,” a message from the embassy reads.
In the replies to its post, the Saudi Embassy tweeted an image of what clothing is allowed (headscarves, hijabs and hats), as well as what is permitted under certain circumstances (medical mouth coverings, costumes and winter clothing such as scarves).
It also shows what items are forbidden under all circumstances, namely the niqab and burqa Islamic face coverings.
نعم اخي الكريم باسثتناء وجود حاله طبيه تستدعي ارتداء الكمامة كما هو موضح في الرسم المرفق pic.twitter.com/I7wajqKO6p
— السفارة في النمسا (@KSAembassyAT) September 22, 2017
The warning offers a contrast to regulations back in Saudi Arabia, where women are required to wear hijab and abaya in public, as part of the country’s strict implementation of Islamic law.
In one reply to the Saudi Embassy tweet, one man asked: “Why don’t you have a stronger position on the violation of the freedoms of others?”
Others commented: “I wanted to go there but after I read this, I have changed my mind” and “we will not visit a country that does not respect our religion”.
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Austria’s new rule comes as one of a number of “integration” policies including forcing asylum seekers to attend classes on ‘Austrian values’, German and job applications in exchange for their benefit payments.
The public distribution of the Qur’an has also been prohibited.
The ‘niqab ban’, which was passed in May, has been criticized as a populist move intended to counter rising support for the right-wing Freedom Party of Austria.
It has received considerable opposition, including from Austria’s president, rights groups and the Muslim community.
Austrian Islamic Community Chairman İbrahim Olgun told Anadolu Agency: "It is clear that the scope of these prohibitions, which they claim to be against radicalism, will expand further and will make the lives of Muslims living here difficult”
The move comes as neighbor Germany has banned drivers from wearing the niqab, in a move called a “shift to the right” by the Central Council of Muslims in Germany.
Switzerland may also join the European nations that ban the burqa, as a national vote is on the cards. If the law is passed, Switzerland will follow in the footsteps of France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
