Sarah Ali was walking down the street with her eight-year-old son. “If the police stop us, don't get afraid,” she reminded him. “We just don’t have the same rights as other people.”
Sarah lives in Denmark, where the niqab – a veil covering the face, leaving only the eyes visible – is banned in public. But she still wears hers.
"There are only 30-50 women in Denmark who wear the niqab," she tells the BBC. "Most of us are very active in local communities. Now they want to punish us for basically dressing."
Denmark has followed the lead of other European countries, such as France and Belgium, in banning clothing which obscures the face. The law prohibits any face coverage, with the exception of "reasonable" cases. Otherwise, the fine is 1,000 Danish Krone ($150).
The bill was passed through parliament with a strong majority, but has split Danish society. Many welcome the restrictions on a garment they see as oppressive for women, while others view the ban as racist and anti-Muslim.
While only 13 Danish women were fined during its first six months, several defy the new law on a daily basis. Moving around the streets, they risk being reported to the police at any time.
"As soon as I step out my front door, my heart is in my throat," one woman told Danish Public Service.
Ms Ali is a founding member of Kvinder i Dialog, Women in Dialogue, a group that encourages people to listen to the opinions of the women who wear niqabs.
While several European countries have banned the full-face veil in public, in countries such as Iran and Saudi Arabia it is mandatory for women to keep their head covered in public. Sarah Ali's personal hope is that the focus switches to what the niqab-wearing women themselves think.
"Muslim women have been dehumanised," she says. "Once that happens, our rights can be taken away so quickly. I've not done anything, but suddenly my clothes are illegal."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/id ... _rebellion
