A Muslim organisation in Norway has been criticised for hiring a communications officer who wears a full-face veil, or niqab.
The culture minister, Muslim MPs and other Muslim organisations have condemned the Islamic Council of Norway's move.
It comes after the government gave the group 484,000 kroner ($55,000; £44,000) to improve interfaith dialogue.
Norway's parliament has already supported banning the niqab in schools.
A vote on the issue in last year had cross-party support and the ban is likely to be enforced later this year.
Several European countries have banned the niqab in public places.
The Islamic Council of Norway IRN, which says it aims to promote unity between Muslims and non-Muslims, appointed 32-year-old Leyla Hasic as its spokeswoman over the weekend. [BBC] Read more
