14 June 2010

Barcelona plans Islamic veil ban

MADRID — Barcelona plans to be the first large city in Spain to ban the use of the full-face Islamic veil in public buildings, its mayor announced Monday.

Jordi Hereu said he will sign a decree which will apply in all public spaces such as the city hall and municipal covered markets and creches. "It should not be possible that someone enters into a place without being identified," the Socialist mayor said.

He said the measure is not aimed at "any particular religious group" and would also apply to people wearing crash helmets and balaclavas. [AFP] Read more [via Islam in Europe]