The question of banning the burqa in the UK sparked a tense exchange in Parliament last week, as new Reform UK member Sarah Pochin asked Prime Minister Keir Starmer whether he would follow the example of countries like France, Denmark, and Belgium by implementing such a ban for the sake of public safety.
Starmer, visibly caught off guard, chose not to address the question directly, which led to a controversial response from Reform UK’s party chair, Zia Yusuf, who quit his position for calling the question “dumb,” only to reverse his decision two days later. This incident came amid Reform’s third-place finish in a Scottish parliament by-election, signaling their struggle to gain political traction.
While Reform UK leader Richard Tice argued for a public debate on whether the burqa is appropriate in a Christian nation, where women’s equality is central, the broader issue of banning the burqa raises difficult questions about women’s freedom of choice, cultural identity, and religious expression.
A Complex History: The Burqa’s Cultural Significance
The burqa is a full-body covering that conceals the face, and its use can be traced to different cultural and religious practices. In Afghanistan, the sight of women in burqas became common after the Taliban regained control, and its association with oppression is undeniable, as seen in the re-imposition of strict dress codes for women.
The burqa is not widespread in the UK, but it has become a symbol of cultural and religious identity for some Muslim women, though many others wear less restrictive forms of the hijab, which typically leaves the face exposed.
The rise in the Muslim population in the UK, from 1.55 million in 2001 to 3.9 million in 2021, has made the burqa a more common sight in public spaces, although it remains a minority practice. In European countries like Switzerland and the Netherlands, where burqa bans have been implemented, the presence of women wearing the garment is minimal, yet the debate over such policies has been intense.
European Context and UK’s Religious Landscape
In France, the burqa ban is framed as a violation of secularism, the French principle of separation of religion and state. Similarly, other European countries have outlawed the burqa due to concerns over security and public values.
However, in the UK, which is not a secular state but has an established church, the question of banning the burqa raises concerns about singling out one religion. The burqa ban, critics argue, could be seen as a form of racism, targeting Muslim women in a way that other religious symbols, like the Christian cross or Sikh turban, are not.
Adrian Ludwig of Tools for Humanity, a key contributor to the World biometric project, argues that such a ban ignores the freedom of women to practice their religion and make their own choices. Critics, like Tice, raise concerns about the potential erasure of personhood that comes with covering the face, but banning the burqa could inadvertently reinforce a narrative that limits women’s choices instead of empowering them.
The Burqa as Symbol of Oppression or Religious Choice?
While there is no explicit requirement in the Quran for women to wear a full-body covering, the burqa has often been used as a symbol of modesty and religious devotion. For some, the burqa represents oppression, as it implies that women must cover themselves to avoid being seen as immodest, while men’s inability to control their desires is often cited as the reason for the restriction.
This perception has led to debates over whether the burqa is a choice or a compulsion — and whether the state should intervene to protect women from cultural or religious expectations.
In contrast, a full ban on the burqa would likely undermine the agency of the women who choose to wear it as a personal or religious statement. It risks perpetuating the same kind of regressive thinking that forces women to cover up, thereby stripping away their freedom to decide for themselves what they wear.
The UK’s Current Legal and Political Landscape
The issue of the burqa in the UK was first brought to national attention by Labour’s Jack Straw, who asked women in his constituency to remove their veils during consultations, claiming they represented a visible statement of separation.
However, such actions raised questions about whether the state should be imposing its values on religious practices. Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, also expressed her disapproval of the burqa, stating that she would refuse to assist burqa-clad constituents and suggesting that employers should have the right to refuse employment to women who wear it.
While these positions may be politically popular with some, they risk stoking division and alienating a segment of the Muslim population. The current UK legal framework provides a balanced approach, where employers must not discriminate against employees wearing religious garments such as the hijab or niqab.
In a case in 2007, a support worker who wore a niqab was dismissed, but her claim of constructive dismissal was rejected. This case highlights the importance of balancing individual rights with workplace requirements, a balance the UK’s anti-discrimination laws continue to uphold.
Encouraging Integration, Not Otherness
The controversy surrounding the burqa is less about the garment itself and more about the underlying societal divisions it represents. Instead of focusing on bans or restrictions, it may be more productive to encourage integration and dialogue between communities.
The goal should be to allow women from all backgrounds, including those who wear the burqa, to participate fully in public life without being forced to abandon their religious identity. This means promoting greater understanding and tolerance of different cultural practices, while ensuring that everyone’s rights and freedoms are protected.
While it is crucial to have open and honest debates about issues like the burqa, we must be cautious about imposing policies that inadvertently reinforce social divisions. A ban on the burqa would not solve the underlying problems of integration and equality; instead, it would further marginalize Muslim women and hinder their full participation in society.
The real challenge lies in finding ways to create an inclusive, respectful society that values freedom of choice, religious diversity, and equality for all.
