‘Hide-and-Sheikh’ no longer: Portugal poised to outlaw burqas

The bill awaits the signature of President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who may approve it, veto it or refer it to the Constitutional Court for review.

By World Israel News Staff

Portugal is poised to join a growing list of European countries that restrict full-face coverings in public, after its parliament approved a contentious bill banning garments that conceal the face in public spaces. The legislation, championed by the right-wing Chega party, is aimed primarily at items such as the burqa and niqab, which fully or partially cover the face.

Passed in October, the bill introduces fines of up to 4,000 euros (about $4,650) for violators and prison sentences of up to three years for anyone who forces another person to wear such garments. Exemptions exist for health needs, security requirements, professional duties, artistic or entertainment purposes, and for use inside places of worship, embassies and aircraft.

The burqa and niqab are worn by some Muslim women in different countries, and several European states have imposed bans or partial restrictions in schools, government facilities or public streets.

If signed into law, Portugal will join France, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland and Denmark in enforcing a general ban on full-face coverings in public. Other EU countries, including Italy, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands, maintain narrower prohibitions limited to specific locations such as hospitals, schools or public transport.

The bill now awaits the signature of President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who may approve it, veto it or refer it to the Constitutional Court for review.

Chega leader André Ventura says the legislation is designed to protect women and preserve Portugal’s values, insisting it ensures no citizen “should ever feel compelled to wear a burqa.” As he put it: “Today we are protecting the female members of this parliament, your daughters, our daughters, from ever being forced to wear burqas in this country.”

Support came from the center-right PSD, CDS-PP and Iniciativa Liberal, while left-wing parties, including the Socialists (PS), PCP and Bloco de Esquerda, opposed the measure.

Critics argue it unfairly targets Muslim women, risks stigmatizing a small religious minority and infringes on freedom of religion. Muslims make up only about 0.4% of Portugal’s population, an estimated 36,000 to 65,000 people – underscoring the largely symbolic nature of the move.