Restrictions on the “Burqa” in Italy

Rising immigration from Africa is fueling extreme social tensions in Italy. Driven by the anti-Muslim opinion, councils in Northern Italy have unlawfully implemented ordinances to prohibit the wearing of the burqa and niqab, but these have always been invalidated as it is not within the powers of a local administration. At the national level, presently, Italian legislation does not ban religious clothing in public places. Anti-Islam sentiments, however, are widely spread in Italian society. Especially after the attacks of the 9.11, in context of increasing Islamophobia. This study reviews restrictions on Muslim religious dress in Italy. The headscarf provokes an immediate identification with Islam and therefore with the numerous prejudices directed towards Muslim women. Muslims, especially Muslim women continue to be discriminated in their daily lives in Italy when they wear religious dress. The future does not hold any easy solutions. The economic and social imbalance between the countries of the north and south Mediterranean basin leaves little doubt that the flows of immigrants from Muslim countries will continue and perhaps increase. The Italian government and it’s citizen must realize that Islam has become a permanent feature of Italian society. Only by accepting this fact can Italians begin to see solutions in cooperations with, not against, their new neighbors.