Swiss ‘Burka Ban’ Coming in 2025

Facial coverings will be banned from Switzerland’s public spaces beginning on January 1, the government announced Wednesday.

Why it matters: The purpose of this ban is to prohibit burkas, face-covering garments worn by many Muslim women. This is the latest attempt by Europe to contain Muslim culture and a sign of future, far more aggressive steps against the religion.

Switzerland joins Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, France and the Netherlands, which all have partial or full bans on face coverings in public spaces.

Details: The suggestion for a new law was proposed by the Swiss People’s Party, Switzerland’s most right-wing party, and it passed in a 2021 referendum. The law took 3½ years to develop and will now be enforced with the new year.

The same party also introduced a vote that banned new minarets in 2009.

• Violators will face a fine of 100 Swiss francs (us$115). Those who refuse to pay can be charged up to 1,000 Swiss francs.
• Exceptions include places of worship, sacred sites, native customs, governmental premises, health, safety, weather conditions, artistic and entertainment grounds, advertising and planes.

Prophetic perspective: The Bible reveals that tensions between Europe and Islam will worsen and culminate in a major conflict. This ban shows these tensions are growing.

Learn more: Read our Trends article “Why the Trumpet Watches Iran and Europe Heading for a Clash of Civilizations.”