MOSCOW, October 1 (RIA Novosti) - Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott is not opposed to a parliamentary ban on the burqa, a veil-like garment worn by women in some Islamic traditions, calling the attire "confronting" in terms of building security.
"I find it a fairly confronting form of attire and frankly I wish it weren't worn," the prime minister was quoted as saying by the Telegraph.
Although Abbott does not support a nationwide ban of the attire, stating his firm belief in a free society and the freedom to dress as one chooses, the prime minister felt the ban could be justified on security grounds. Abbott said that everyone entering secure buildings such as parliament in Canberra should be required to show their face, according to the newspaper.
"But I just want to stress that this is a secure building and it should be governed by the rules that are appropriate for a secure building and obviously people need to be identifiable in a secure building such as this," Abbott was quoted as saying by the Telegraph.
The ban under debate would prevent people from covering their faces when entering secure buildings. Those opposed to the ban have called it "socially divisive" and fear it could further isolate the Muslim community in Australia who already feel targeted amid the country's increased counterterrorism measures.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Bronwyn Bishop, stated a ruling on the issue would most likely be announced within a week.
The proposal of the burqa ban follows Australia's increased counterterrorism operations responding to a rise in the country's citizens traveling abroad to fight alongside Islamic State (IS) jihadists. Many foreign fighters have joined the IS militants, who now control large parts of Iraq and Syria. US intelligence officials estimate as many as 15,000 people from 80 different countries are fighting with the IS in the Middle East.
