Meloni plans burqa, niqab ban in Italian schools; how it compares to rest of Europe

Italy moves to ban burqa, niqab in schools, says Meloni (AI-generated image) Italy is preparing to ban the burqa and niqab in schools, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced on Sunday, putting the country back in the spotlight of Europe’s long-running debate over face-covering veils, religious expression and integration.Meloni said her government would soon take a measure to the Cabinet that would prohibit burqas and niqabs in schools. She also proposed limiting the number of foreign students in each classroom and requiring parents of foreign students facing serious integration difficulties to learn Italian. The government has not yet specified the proposed limit on foreign students.“You must go to school with your face uncovered,” Meloni said, arguing that no one in Italy should be able to decide that a young woman must hide her face in the name of tradition. The proposed measure still needs to go through the legislative process before it becomes law.What exactly is Italy proposing?The proposal specifically refers to burqas and niqabs, but not hijabs. A burqa covers the entire body and includes a mesh covering over the eyes, while a niqab covers the face but leaves the eyes visib...