New Delhi

Switzerland will become the fifth European country to ban Muslim women from wearing a burqa or any kind of facial cover in public places. A majority over 51 per cent of voters favoured the ban as per the results of the referendum held on Sunday.

France, Belgium and Austria, the Netherland have already imposed such a ban.

According to the Guardian newspaper, the Swiss Parliament and the government have opposed the referendum saying that those using the facial cover of some kind in Switzerland constituted a ‘fringe.’

The Muslim groups of the country have also criticized the referendum saying it was targeted at Muslims and would not only stigmatise the community but also have an adverse impact on the people in a country that is known for freedom.

Switzerland’s Muslim population stands at 5 per cent and most of the Muslims are from Eastern European countries like Bosnia, Kosovo and Turkey where there is no tradition of women covering their faces. According to a study by the University of Lucerne, only 21-30 women wear niqab in Switzerland.  

The hoteliers and tourism operators have also opposed the proposed ban as they feel it would restrict the flow of tourists from Arab countries.