In Ticino region of Switzerland, a woman who wears a full-face Islamic veil (Niqab) can be fined up to 10,000 Swiss Francs ($10,200) under new laws that came into effect last Friday. It is the latest in a number of anti-veil laws that have come into effect throughout Europe in recent years, with France being the first to enact a “Burka ban” in 2010.
In protest of the decision, French-Algerian businessman Rachid Nekkaz and Nora Illi, a Swiss convert to Islam, staged a protest in Ticino by having the latter wear the Niqab. Mr. Nekkaz was fined 230 Swiss Francs ($233 dollars) for his role in organizing the demonstration, whereas Ms. Illi faces up to the full amount of 10,000 Swiss Francs.
Mr. Nekkaz is no stranger to demonstrations and media coverage. In the aftermath of the 2010 “Burka Ban” in France, Mr. Nekkaz established a fund of one million euros to cover fines that Muslim women might face for wearing an Islamic veil in any European country.
In light of Switzerland enacting its new laws, many took to twitter to share their thoughts. Some, were offended, citing a variety of cases of perceived descrimination by Switzerland against its Muslim residents:
#سويسرا_تحظر_النقاب
— تركي الشلهوب (@Turkeyshalhoub) July 9, 2016
-وحظرت مآذن المساجد
-وفرضت غرامة ع كل طالب مسلم يرفض مصافحة معلمته
-وأسقطت قبل أيام جنسيةمسلمتين رفضتا السباحة بصحبةذكور
"They banned the call to prayer.
They made a fine for any Muslim who doesn’t want to shake his female teacher’s hand.
They took away citizenship for two Muslim girls who refused to swim in a male swimming pool."
#سويسرا_تحظر_النقاب
— X (@a_s_2223) July 9, 2016
حظروه ام لم يحظروا
فستضّل الامرأة المسلمة معتزة بلبسها واحتشامها
"Whether it’s banned or not banned, the Muslim woman will remain proud of her dress and modesty."
Others came out in support of the new law, questioning its religious merit.
- اسباب امنية
— Ahmad Estatieh (@GraffitiRobot) July 9, 2016
- النقاب مش من الدين
-اي دولة لها حق منع ما يحلو لها
-سويسرا دولة مش محتاجة حد يحكيلها شو تعمل
#سويسرا_تحظر_النقاب
"-For reasons of security.
-The Niqab is not a religious thing.
-Any country has the right to ban or allow whatever it wants.
-Switzerland is a country that doesn’t need anyone to tell it what to do."
