Anti-dhimmitude from one of the few clear-sighted politicians in Europe. From AP (thanks to Darcy):
THE HAGUE (AP) – A right-wing Dutch lawmaker wants women jailed for wearing the head-to-toe Islamic robe known as a burqa, calling it a ”symbol of oppression.”
Geert Wilders, whose Freedom Party has nine lawmakers in the 150-seat lower house of Dutch parliament, filed a proposed law change Thursday that would make wearing a burqa in public a crime punishable by up to 12 days jail.
”The burqa and niqab are a symbol of oppression of women,” Wilders told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. He said burqas and the niqab – a full-faced veil with only a slit for the eyes – hindered integration of Muslim women into Dutch society and also were a security risk.
”If you want to wear a burqa, you should do it somewhere other than the Netherlands,” Wilders added.
A prominent spokesman for the Dutch Islamic community, Ayhan Tonca, called Wilders’ proposal ”totally out of proportion” and accused Wilders of seeking to broaden a rift between Muslims and the rest of Dutch society.
No, he is noting the rift that already exists, and trying to heal it.