Crime or right? Some Danish Muslims to defy face veil ban

Crime or right? Some Danish Muslims to defy face veil ban

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When a ban on the wearing of face veils in public took effect in Denmark on Wednesday, Sabina (pictured centre below) did not leave her niqab at home.

Instead, she joined around 1,300 Muslims and non-Muslims alike in a march through the capital Copenhagen to protest at what they saw as an infringement on freedom of religion and expression.

. Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly
Members of the media photograph Sabina and other women in niqabs before a demonstration against the Danish face veil ban.

The Danish parliament enacted the face ban in May, joining France and some other European countries to uphold what some politicians say are secular and democratic values.

But Sabina, 21, (centre) who is studying to be a teacher, joined forces with other Muslim women who wear the veil to form Kvinder I Dialog (Women In Dialogue) to protest and raise awareness about why women should be allowed to express their identity in that way.

. Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly
People participate in a demonstration against the Danish face veil ban in Copenhagen.

The protesting niqab wearers were joined by non-niqab wearing Muslim women and also non-Muslim Danes in face cover.

“We need to send a signal to the government that we will not bow to discrimination and a law that specifically targets a religious minority,” Sabina, said as she marched on Wednesday, asking not to be further identified for fear of harassment.

Video

Reuters spent time with Sabina and other niqab-garbed women earlier this week for a closer look at their concerns.

"I won't take my niqab off. If I must take it off I want to do it because it is a reflection of my own choice," Sabina said.

. Aarhus, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly
Meryem sits with her husband Ali, 23, as she updates her blog Niqabi Nuancer over a vegan breakfast.

"Everybody wants to define what Danish values are," said Meryem, 20, who was born in Denmark to Turkish parents and has been wearing the niqab since before meeting her husband, who supports her right to wear it but feels life could be easier without.

. Aarhus, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly
Meryem (2nd right) sits with classmates (left to right) Ahmad, Kasper and Caroline during a supplemental summer class on math B-A level.

"I believe that you have to integrate yourself in society, that you should get an education and so forth. But I don't think wearing a niqab means you can't engage yourself in Danish values," said Meryem, who has a place to study molecular medicine at Aarhus University.

. Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly
Ayah, 37, wipes tears from her eyes on the first day of the implementation of the Danish face veil ban.

Just before heading to Wednesday's demonstration, Ayah, 37, told Reuters: “This is not the Denmark that we know. I can't go out when I want to...I have kids, how do I pick them up from the bus and the school and the train?

. Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly
Swimmers watch on as Anna-Bella, 26, who was born in Peru and converted to Islam at age 20, walks along the seafront.

"It’s just absurd. I can’t do the things I love to do any more. I can’t go to the museum and the beach, can’t go out and take photos. I’m just going to be a prisoner in my home. But I prefer to be a prisoner in my home to taking off my niqab."

. Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly
Aicha, 29, from Jutland poses with the mask she will wear to the protest.

Aicha, 29, said: "When I was little, people didn’t talk about colour and religion but now the last 10 years people are going crazy talking about colour of the skin and hating each other."

Under the law, police will be able to instruct women to remove their veils or order them to leave public areas. Justice Minister Soren Pape Poulsen said officers would fine them and tell them to go home.

. Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly
Ayah weeps as she is embraced by a police officer during the demonstration.

Fines will range from 1,000 Danish crowns ($160) for a first offence to 10,000 crowns for a fourth violation.

"I feel this law legitimises acts of hatred but, on the other hand, I feel people have become more aware of what is going on. I get more smiles on the street and people are asking me more questions," said Ayah, 37.

. Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly
Mathias Vidas Olsen demonstrates the preparation of bracelets.

Mathias Vidas Olsen, who makes reproductions of Viking age jewellery, is supporting the campaign against the ban by making special bracelets and giving the proceeds to Kvinder I Dialog.

"I'm not for or against the niqab," the 29-year-old Copenhagen man said. "I'm for the right of the people to wear whatever they want whether they be a Muslim or a punk.

"I see this as the government reaching in to places they don't belong and as a cheap hit on an already stigmatized group to score cheap political points."

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Slideshow

Alaa, 21, a student of health and nutrition, born in Copenhagen and wearer of the niqab, tests a face veil she created with members of the group Kvinder I Dialog during a workshop in preparation for a protest against the face veil ban.
. Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly

Alaa, 21, a student of health and nutrition, born in Copenhagen and wearer of the niqab, tests a face veil she created with members of the group Kvinder I Dialog during a workshop in preparation for a protest against the face veil ban.

Florina, 23, and Mizgan (right), 24, arrive for a meeting at Folkets Hus, which translates as People's House, for a workshop to prepare for a protest against the face veil ban.
. Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly

Florina, 23, and Mizgan (right), 24, arrive for a meeting at Folkets Hus, which translates as People's House, for a workshop to prepare for a protest against the face veil ban.

Alaa (left), 21, and Sabina, 21, prepare leaflets for a protest ahead of the face veil ban.
. Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly

Alaa (left), 21, and Sabina, 21, prepare leaflets for a protest ahead of the face veil ban.

Ayah crosses the Dronning Louise's bridge.
. Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly

Ayah crosses the Dronning Louise's bridge.

Sabina (left) and Alaa sit in a park.
. Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly

Sabina (left) and Alaa sit in a park.

Ayah (left) and Aisha, 18, members of the group Kvinder I Dialog, sit in a shopping center.
. Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly

Ayah (left) and Aisha, 18, members of the group Kvinder I Dialog, sit in a shopping center.

Ayah shops in her local supermarket.
. Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly

Ayah shops in her local supermarket.

Ayah (right) checks her cellphone as she prepares a meal with her friend Ahlam, 25.
. Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly

Ayah (right) checks her cellphone as she prepares a meal with her friend Ahlam, 25.

Natacha (center), 21, a wearer of the hijab and a Danish convert to Islam, holds her son Taimullah, 1, with her friends Nayab (left), 18, and Amina, 24, as they ride an elevator.
. Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly

Natacha (center), 21, a wearer of the hijab and a Danish convert to Islam, holds her son Taimullah, 1, with her friends Nayab (left), 18, and Amina, 24, as they ride an elevator.

Natacha and Nayab, 18, both members of the group Kvinder I Dialog, stand together on a playground.
. Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly

Natacha and Nayab, 18, both members of the group Kvinder I Dialog, stand together on a playground.

Natacha plays with her one-year-old son Taimullah.
. Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly

Natacha plays with her one-year-old son Taimullah.

Sarah, 30, a wearer of the niqab and a member of the group Kvinder I Dialog, stands at the spot, where she says, a man screamed anti-Islamic obscenities at her while almost forcing her onto the train tracks while she cradled her then two-week-old baby.
. Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly

Sarah, 30, a wearer of the niqab and a member of the group Kvinder I Dialog, stands at the spot, where she says, a man screamed anti-Islamic obscenities at her while almost forcing her onto the train tracks while she cradled her then two-week-old baby.

Mizgan, 24, arranges posters made at a workshop in preparation for a protest against the face veil ban at The Islamic Trossamund.
. Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly

Mizgan, 24, arranges posters made at a workshop in preparation for a protest against the face veil ban at The Islamic Trossamund.

Mona, 55, tests a mask at a workshop.
. Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly

Mona, 55, tests a mask at a workshop.

Sabina (left) and Ayah, 37, both wearers of the niqab and members of the group Kvinder I Dialog, prepare to drive.
. Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly

Sabina (left) and Ayah, 37, both wearers of the niqab and members of the group Kvinder I Dialog, prepare to drive.

Meryem, 20, a wearer of the niqab and a member of the group Kvinder I Dialog, walks across a log at Dyrehaven, a deer petting park.
. Aarhus, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly

Meryem, 20, a wearer of the niqab and a member of the group Kvinder I Dialog, walks across a log at Dyrehaven, a deer petting park.

Ayah speaks with swimmers during a visit to Karlstrup Kalkgrav, a lake near Karlstrup.
. Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly

Ayah speaks with swimmers during a visit to Karlstrup Kalkgrav, a lake near Karlstrup.

Alaa (left), 21, Amina (enter), 24, and Nayab, 18, sit on a dock during a visit to Karlstrup Kalkgrav.
. Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly

Alaa (left), 21, Amina (enter), 24, and Nayab, 18, sit on a dock during a visit to Karlstrup Kalkgrav.

Mizgan, 24, advises attendees on how to prepare a face veil during a workshop to prepare for a protest against the face veil ban.
. Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly

Mizgan, 24, advises attendees on how to prepare a face veil during a workshop to prepare for a protest against the face veil ban.

Members of the activist group Party Rebels, paste up posters alerting people to an organised protest against the face veil ban.
. Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly

Members of the activist group Party Rebels, paste up posters alerting people to an organised protest against the face veil ban.

Members of the group Kvinder I Dialog, wearers of the Islamic clothing the niqab, pass out flyers to promote their protest.
. Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly

Members of the group Kvinder I Dialog, wearers of the Islamic clothing the niqab, pass out flyers to promote their protest.

A police officer reacts as masked protesters surround Bellahoj police station during a demonstration against the Danish face veil ban.
. Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly

A police officer reacts as masked protesters surround Bellahoj police station during a demonstration against the Danish face veil ban.

People participate in a demonstration against the Danish face veil ban.
. Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly

People participate in a demonstration against the Danish face veil ban.

People participate in a demonstration against the Danish face veil ban.
. Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters/Andrew Kelly

People participate in a demonstration against the Danish face veil ban.