David Vance SubstackRead More
Did you see that Italy’s Brothers of Italy party, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has just introduced a bill prohibiting the wearing of the burqa and niqab? If this passes they will be prohibited in public spaces like shops and schools, with fines ranging from €300 to €3,000 for violations. It also goes a stage further and mandates full financial disclosure for mosques funding deemed a threat to national values.
I welcome this from Meloni as it deals with the fundamental problem of Islamic separatism. As we have discussed in this space many times, the garb of Islam has no place in the public square. If they want to wear it in private, that’s fine. However accepting burqa and niqab use, as the UK Government does, is submitting to Islam. It’s cowardly, traitorous and creates more societal division.
In making this move, Italy follow several other European countries. As we have discussed before France pioneered the trend in 2011, under its “living together” doctrine. Belgium and Denmark followed suit in 2015 and 2018, respectively, with fines escalating for repeat offenses. Austria, Bulgaria, and Switzerland impose national bans, the latter approved via 2021 referendum with penalties up to €1,000. The Netherlands limits coverings in government buildings and schools since 2019, while Norway restricts them in educational institutions.
So there is at least some sort of understanding that Burqas and Niqabs are incompatible with our societies. Some might extend that and suggest that ISLAM itself is in permanent conflict with our values and either we prevail or it will. Isn’t the truth of that matter that we live in a moment where there is a clash between modern civilisation and 7th century backwardness? I do not see any point of compromise and I have not seen any evidence of ANY western society improved by the advance of Islam. Yes, we all see the innumerable downsides but observing it isn’t good enough. Action is required and this is why I commend Meloni and those other European leaders who have moved to ban aspects of Islam, such as the Burqa and Niqab.
