Embassy in Austria Warning Saudi Women their Burqa Is Now Illegal

The Saudi Embassy in Vienna has alerted its citizens regarding the Austrian Parliament's passing of burqa ban, Al Hayat reported Thursday.

Beginning on October 1, Austrian police will be fining women (and men) who are caught wearing clothes that obstruct their facial features. The $166 fine would also be charged to women wearing a burqa-the enveloping outer garment, and niqab-veil in universities, courts, or on public transportation.

The anti-burqa law was supported by both parties in the ruling coalition, SPÖ and ÖVP, on Tuesday, despite a political tumult that had threatened to bring down the government.

The Saudi embassy asked its citizens in Austria to obey the new law.

Austria followed Switzerland, Belgium, France, and some Spanish regions in banning the burqa and the niqab in public places, as well as other religious symbols.

The Muslim World League tweeted last week that a Muslim must respect the constitutions, laws and culture of the countries where he lives, but must claim his privacy right to the hijab-head covering as is legally possible.