Italy’s government has approved a decree banning face coverings during school activities, as debate over religious clothing continues in Europe. The decree allows exceptions for certified medical reasons and educational activities. It doesn’t explicitly name the burqa or niqab, though Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni referred to both when she announced it.
Constitutional assurances
Sheikh Dr Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, said he wasn’t generally worried about the rise of the hardline right in Europe. He made the comments during a visit to Brussels on Friday, meeting political figures and representatives of religious communities and civil society at a high-level meeting on dialogue and social cohesion.
Al-Issa said national constitutions and societal values would constrain political excesses. “As for talk of a hardline right emerging in some European countries, we are generally not worried. Each European country has a civilised constitution that no one can override. There are also societal values that everyone must respect,” he said.
He said departures from constitutional and societal values would prompt public opposition. “Any departure from the constitution and these civilised societal values will prompt society to speak out and put things right.” Al-Issa also said people could challenge legislation before constitutional courts, and that similar questions in other countries had turned out as he hoped when constitutional oversight and an active public conscience were present.
Religious practice and restrictions
Al-Issa called for respect for religious practices within the framework of national constitutions. His remarks came as European debate continued over restrictions on religious clothing, including Italy’s new school rule. Meloni said that in Italy “no one should force a girl to hide herself”. The decree itself doesn’t explicitly mention the burqa or niqab.
“We always call for respect for each religion’s distinctive practices, provided they do not conflict with the constitution,” Al-Issa said. “There is no doubt that civilised constitutions, particularly European ones, respect those practices and the observance of religious rituals.”
The decree bans face coverings during school activities, with stated exceptions for certified medical reasons and educational activities. The base article reports no further details about how officials will enforce the decree or how it will affect students.
The rise of the hardline right
Al-Issa’s Brussels visit followed the Alternative for Germany, or AfD, finishing first in state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in September. France is due to hold a presidential election in 2027, while parliamentary elections are expected in Italy, Poland and Greece.
The Muslim World League, established in 1962, is a Mecca-based Islamic organisation that describes its mission as promoting Islam, tolerance and friendship among peoples. At the Brussels meeting, Al-Issa said dialogue was essential to resolving conflicts. “Of course, we always believe in dialogue and place great faith in it,” he said, describing dialogue as “the language of reason and wisdom” and calling for sincere intentions and effective leadership.