By Andrew L. Jaffee

“The Dutch government is set to impose a ban on the Muslim burqa in schools and government offices,” reports Reuters. While some argue this is strictly a safety issue — a prophylactic against terrorists who would hide bombs under the Islamic head-to-toe women’s coverall — there is more to the ban: a very subjective, non-”practical” side. This is about cultural reassertion (preserving liberal democracy) as much or more so than it is about pragmatism (preventing bombings).

Many Dutch believe their European roots are being threatened by all their new Muslim immigrants. Their concerns are based in firm reality, e.g., the savage murder of Theo van Gogh in downtown Amsterdam. Many Muslims have expected that their host countries will adapt (submit) to them, as opposed to them assimilating European values (e.g., where stoning your wife is illegal, where drawing a picture of a religious figure is not punishable by death, where other religions are tolerated, etc.).

Yes, this is a limitation on free expression, but in a war to preserve civilized values, a necessary one.

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Related: Islam, Europe, Society, Immigration, Law

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