Ban on Wearing the Niqab in Public Administrations Sparks Wide Political Debate in Spain

The city council of Alcalá de Henares, Spain, approved a decision banning anyone from entering local government buildings with their face fully or almost fully covered, including wearing the niqab or burqa.

The move came within the council’s authority to regulate public facilities, supported by the Spanish People’s Party and the parliamentary majority, in response to a proposal by the Vox party, which considered the decision necessary to strengthen legal and administrative security within official facilities and to enable staff to verify the identity of service users when providing services.

A municipal official emphasized that the decision does not target any particular religion and applies solely to entry into administrative offices, noting exceptions for medical, health, or occupational safety reasons.

The decision has triggered mixed reactions: supporters view it as reinforcing order within administrations, while opponents warn of its impact on personal freedoms and the right to express religious beliefs, signaling a broader political and legal debate in the coming days over the limits of local authorities’ regulation of dress in public facilities.

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