Saturday, March 29, 2025
Rome, October 10, 2025 — Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing Brothers of Italy (FdI) government has introduced a controversial bill in Parliament that seeks to ban face-covering garments such as burqas and niqabs in all public spaces. The legislation also proposes tighter controls on foreign funding of mosques and Islamic organizations.
The bill, tabled on October 8, explicitly prohibits clothing that fully covers the face in schools, universities, offices, shops, and other public areas. Violators could face fines ranging from €300 to €3,000 (₹26,000–₹2.6 lakh).
While Italy already has a 1975 law banning full facial concealment in public, that measure does not specifically mention burqas or niqabs. The new bill seeks to close that gap and strengthen enforcement.
Meloni’s coalition partners in the League Party had earlier attempted a similar measure, but this proposal is broader in scope, extending the ban nationwide.
An Italian minister noted that the proposal is inspired by France’s 2011 burqa ban:
“We are committed to protecting Italy’s identity and unity. This bill is a defense against Islamic separatism and extremism.”
Given Meloni’s parliamentary majority, observers believe the bill has strong chances of passing, though debate dates have not yet been set.
The draft law also introduces new transparency rules for religious organizations, especially those without formal agreements with the state. These groups would be required to fully disclose their funding sources.
Foreign funding for mosques and Islamic educational institutions will be monitored closely.
Any group deemed a threat to national security could be barred from receiving funds.
The draft warns that “Islamic separatism fuels extremism, which in turn becomes a breeding ground for terrorism.”
Meloni argues the ban is not only a security measure but also a step to counter “cultural isolation” within Italy’s Muslim population, which is estimated at around 500,000.
She has consistently taken a tough stance on migration, including policies restricting illegal boats crossing the Mediterranean. Her government now frames this bill as part of a broader effort to reinforce national cohesion.
Supporters — Right-wing groups hail the move as a defense of “national sovereignty” and a safeguard against extremism.
Critics — Opposition parties and Muslim organizations condemn the bill as anti-Islamic and discriminatory. One major Muslim association said:
“This is an attack on women’s freedom and a violation of religious liberty.”
The proposal has sparked heated debate across Italian society, reviving tensions over migration, integration, and religious freedoms.
