Most Britons Would Ban Burqa

[Beorn]

A proposal to ban the niqab is also supported by a majority of respondents, but hijab is not as controversial.

As lawmakers in France openly recommend a ban on full veils, people in Britain believe that garments that cover the face should also be outlawed in the United Kingdom, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.
The online survey of a representative national sample of 2,001 British adults showed respondents pictures of three different garments—the burqa, the niqab and the hijab—and asked whether their use should be forbidden in the UK under three specific scenarios.

Burqa

The burqa is an outer garment worn by some Muslim women that is meant to conceal the entire body. In addition to a full veil, the burqa usually features a net that covers the eyes.
More than 70 per cent of respondents would agree with banning the burqa in public places (72%), at schools and universities (79%) and at airports.

Niqab

The niqab is also meant to conceal the entire body and also features a full veil, but differs from the burqa because the eyes are usually exposed.
Two thirds of Britons (66%) would ban the niqab in public places, while higher proportions would forbid the use of the garment at schools and universities (75%) and airports (85%).

Hijab

The hijab is a type of head scarf that usually exposes the entire face. A majority of respondents believe the hijab should not be banned at airports (63%), schools and universities (69%) or in public places (75%).

Mixed Signals

While two thirds of Britons (67%) believe that garments that conceal a woman’s face are an affront to British values, a majority of respondents (58%) claim the Government should not be allowed to tell individuals what they can and cannot wear.

Download Full Tables

Download Full Methodology Statement

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

Source

[Sigrid]

Sometimes I think that most sane people would ban heavily-laden bed sheets being worn out onto the sidewalks and streets of many nations. Maybe I have wishful thinking!