Portugal Face-Covering Bill Sparks Misleading Claims About Ban on Islamic Practices

Portugal Face-Covering Bill Sparks Misleading Claims About Ban on Islamic Practices
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Claims circulating on social media alleging that Portugal has banned Islamic rituals or imposed penalties on religious practices have been found to be inaccurate, according to recent reports from Euronews Persian.

The posts, widely shared on platforms such as X, suggest that the Portuguese parliament passed legislation targeting Islamic customs. However, the claims misinterpret a proposed bill that concerns only face-covering garments in public spaces.

The legislation under discussion in Portugal focuses specifically on banning full face coverings, including garments such as the burqa and niqab, in public areas. The proposal does not address Islamic practices, rituals, or religious observances, and contains no provisions restricting the performance of religious duties.

The bill was introduced by the far-right Chega party and has received support from some other political groups. It aims to regulate any clothing that fully conceals an individual’s face in public, regardless of religious affiliation.

The legislation has not yet been finalized. Following committee review, it must undergo a parliamentary vote before being sent to Portugal’s president, who may approve or veto the measure.

Similar face-covering restrictions already exist in several European countries, including France, Belgium, and Austria. If enacted, Portugal would join this group in implementing a public face-covering ban.

Euronews Persian reports that the online claims suggesting a broader prohibition on Islamic customs are unfounded and stem from a misinterpretation of the face-covering bill. The proposal is limited to regulating specific forms of attire and does not constitute a ban on Islamic practices.