Khaberni - The Portuguese parliament approved on Friday, in a preliminary vote, a bill introduced by the far-right, which aims to prohibit "face covering in public places," effectively targeting the wearing of the niqab.
The bill was proposed by the far-right Chega party, which became the second-strongest political force in Portugal in the legislative elections held last May.
The law received sixty votes from the Chega party, along with votes from the government coalition (center-right) and liberal parties.
The left-wing parties and the Communists voted against the law.
According to Muslim officials in Portugal, the niqab is not widely worn among Muslim women in Portugal, but it is a "tradition" some adhere to.
