Australia: Sydney Muslim Group Criticizes One Nation Proposal to Ban Niqab and Burqa in Schools

Australia: Sydney Muslim Group Criticizes One Nation Proposal to Ban Niqab and Burqa in Schools
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A proposal by Australia’s One Nation party to ban full-face coverings, including the niqab and burqa, in schools has sparked criticism from the Lebanese Muslim Association in Sydney, which accused the party of using Muslim students as a subject of political debate.

The proposal, led by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, would apply to all Australian schools, including Islamic and private institutions. Supporters of the measure argue that teachers and students should be able to see each other’s faces in classrooms.

The Lebanese Muslim Association, which operates Lakemba Mosque in southwest Sydney, rejected the proposal, saying it does not address a genuine educational issue but instead targets a small number of Muslim students.

The group said schools already have procedures to address identity verification and safety requirements without imposing restrictions on the clothing of Muslim girls, emphasizing that Muslim students are Australian children who share the same national identity as others.

The association also questioned how many students actually wear the niqab in Australian schools and warned against turning Muslim students into a political target.

One Nation lawmaker Barnaby Joyce said the proposal does not include the hijab and only applies to the burqa, niqab and other full-face coverings. He has previously indicated that he differs from Hanson on aspects of the burqa debate.

The party has maintained its position on full-face coverings, linking the issue to broader discussions about integration and multiculturalism in Australia.

The controversy has renewed debate over Islamic clothing and religious freedom in the country, following previous actions by Hanson, including wearing a burqa inside Parliament as part of her campaign calling for restrictions on the garment.