Critical Analysis: The Danish Burqa Ban, Its Effects and Future

This essay discusses Denmark's ban on face-covering garments, specifically targeting Islamic veils like the niqab and burqa. It examines the political motivations behind the ban, framed as promoting gender equality, and analyzes the resulting protests and social impacts. Drawing parallels with similar bans in countries like France, the essay explores the potential for such laws to backfire, potentially leading to the marginalization of Muslim women. The central research question investigates the future of the burqa in Europe, the challenges faced by Islamic women due to the ban, and potential solutions for maintaining social harmony while achieving gender equality. The essay references news articles documenting the ban and its immediate aftermath.

Running head: THE DANISH BURQA BAN.
THE DANISH BURQA BAN
Name of the student:
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Author note:

1THE DANISH BURQA BAN
In mid of 2018, Denmark has recently come to implement a ban on any garment that
hides an individual’s face in public. The country’s new ban is understood by people to be
targeting Islamic veils such as niqab and burqa. The paper aims to discuss the action of banning
such a garment and the perception of people on this aspect along with critical analysis of the
whole element.
According to the politicians of the country, the banning of face covering garment is a way
related to the nation and gender equality. The veil ban was initiated for it can bring gender
equality since women covering the face is often perceived oppression of the particular gender.
Denmark has previously called for the ban as well which was not very supported. In fact, the
concept gained support elsewhere (Jane Onyanga-Omara 2018). Several countries have called for
full-face veil ban including France, Belgium, Austria and many more and they have faced
obstacles as well. The full-face coving is found not only oppressive but also incompatible with
the values in Danish society.
There have been intense debates on this particular aspect by pundits as well as lawmakers
with a few even proposing legal challenges. In the end, the ban passed into law. Protest in the
street began by Muslims along with non-Muslims. Although the ban was intended to promote
gender equality, it only backfired. On the enactment of the law, several women have protested
wearing a veil. According to a few protestors it is a spiritual choice and a part of identity (The
guardian 2018).
If counties such as France, Quebec and Austria are considered for indication, the act in
Denmark had the possibility of only backfiring. In 2010, France banned all the religious symbols
from schools as well as public places. According to the president of France, Nicolas Sarkozy it
was a question of freedom and women’s dignity. Likewise, other countries in Europe too applied

2THE DANISH BURQA BAN
the act and were faced with numerous protest. It was found that Muslim women stopped coming
out of their house due to the implementation of this law.
The law in Denmark is unlikely to overturn, and the European court of human rights has
consistently backed these ban. They wanted the countries to consider the appropriate measure for
their countries. Therefore, it is hard to determine the lifecycle of the burqa in Europe within a
few coming years.
Research question:
RQ1. What is the future of Burqa or full face covering garment in Europe?
a. What are the major issues faced by the Islamic women due to the ban of Burqa?
b. How can the issue be resolved while maintaining the social harmony as well as
accomplish the goal of attaining gender equality?

3THE DANISH BURQA BAN
References:
Jane Onyanga-Omara, 2018, USAtoday, Controversial 'Burqa Ban' comes into effect in Denmark
amid protests, Retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/01/danish-burqa-
ban-comes-into-effect-amid-protests
The guardian, 2018, Protests in Denmark as 'burqa ban' comes into effect, Retrieved from:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/01/danish-burqa-ban-comes-into-effect-amid-
protests/