Across continents and political divides, the debate over Islamic veils and religious freedom has again burst into the public sphere, igniting controversy from Europe to Australia and underscoring the persistent challenges faced by Muslim communities worldwide. In recent weeks, a series of legislative proposals and a shocking act of violence have propelled the issue of hijabs, burqas, and niqabs into headlines, with governments, advocacy groups, and political leaders weighing in on the boundaries between secularism, individual rights, and public safety.
On September 28, 2025, a brutal assault in Markham, Ontario, Canada, brought the dangers of anti-Muslim sentiment into sharp focus. According to IQNA and York Regional Police, a 54-year-old Muslim hotel employee suffered serious, potentially life-altering head injuries after a violent encounter with a hotel guest. The incident began when the guest’s credit card was declined, but escalated dramatically after he discovered that the staff member was Muslim. The suspect, 31, allegedly threatened to kill the employee, chased him, and then carried out the assault, leaving the victim with grave injuries.
Canadian authorities responded swiftly, charging the suspect with assault causing bodily harm and uttering threats. Yet, for many observers, the attack was not an isolated incident but rather another example in a disturbing pattern. The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) condemned what it called an “utterly disgusting attack,” emphasizing that anti-Muslim violence is on the rise in the country. Amira Elghawaby, Canada’s special representative on combatting Islamophobia, described the assault as “absolutely horrifying and vicious,” warning that Islamophobia remains an ongoing threat to Canadian society.
Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti echoed these sentiments, expressing solidarity with the victim’s family and voicing hope that the justice system would provide them with the support they need. The victim’s wife shared the family’s heartbreak, highlighting the profound impact such violence has not only on individuals but on entire communities.
While the Canadian incident drew attention to the dangers faced by Muslims due to prejudice and hate, debates over Islamic attire erupted anew in Europe. In Switzerland, the right-wing Swiss People’s Party proposed a controversial ban on the hijab for teachers in the Canton of St. Gallen, sparking a fierce political and social controversy. Left-wing parties were quick to criticize the plan, arguing that a ban targeting only the hijab is discriminatory and undermines gender equality. They insisted that if such a ban were to be enacted, it should also apply to other religious symbols, such as the Christian cross, to avoid singling out Muslim women.
The Swiss Federal Government responded by stating that any eventual ban would indeed encompass all religious symbols, although the specifics of how such a law would be implemented remain unclear as of October 10, 2025. This debate comes on the heels of several recent cases in Switzerland where Muslim female teachers lost their jobs because of their religious attire, further complicating the already fraught discussion over religious freedom and the secular neutrality of the state.
Meanwhile, Italy’s ruling Brothers of Italy party has announced plans to introduce a bill banning Muslim women from wearing the burqa and niqab in public spaces, including shops, schools, and offices. According to party officials cited by Shia Waves, the proposed law would impose hefty fines—ranging from €300 to €3,000—on those found in violation. The bill, which is being framed as a measure against “Islamic separatism,” also includes provisions to regulate mosque funding, ban forced marriages, and require unrecognized religious groups to disclose all foreign funding.
The Italian proposal has not gone unnoticed internationally. In Australia, Pauline Hanson, leader of the One Nation party, seized on Italy’s move as an opportunity to renew her long-standing campaign to ban the burqa in her own country. On October 10, 2025, Hanson took to social media to urge Canberra to follow the lead of at least 24 countries that have already banned the garment. “For years I’ve warned that full face coverings pose a threat to our safety, and strip women of their dignity,” she wrote. “Now Italy has joined more than 20 countries in banning them. So why is Australia still turning a blind eye?”
Hanson’s arguments were blunt and uncompromising. She claimed that burqas and similar Islamic garments are used to control and silence women, and that they enable criminals to hide their identities. “No woman should be forced to cover her face. No criminal should get away with hiding behind one,” she asserted. “One Nation stands for public safety, for women’s rights, and for the values that built this country. And we won’t back down.” She further linked her call to rising violence and accused the Australian government of failing to protect its citizens, referencing the return of ISIS extremists and alleged support for Hamas sympathizers.
Hanson’s advocacy is not new; she famously wore a burqa in the Australian Senate in 2017 to dramatize her opposition to the garment. At the time, she declared, “I’m quite happy to remove this, because this is not what should belong in this Parliament.” Her actions have consistently sparked heated debate, with supporters arguing that she is defending secular values and critics accusing her of stoking fear and division.
Among her critics is Dr. Rateb Jneid, president of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Dr. Jneid dismissed Hanson’s latest call as “a publicity stunt designed to stoke fear and division, and to keep herself and her party politically relevant.” He argued, “True liberation is not telling women what they can’t wear, it’s allowing them to choose for themselves, free from coercion, stigma, or political exploitation.” Dr. Jneid insisted that Hanson's proposal is not a serious policy and does not reflect Australian values.
As these debates unfold, they expose deep-seated tensions over national identity, secularism, and the rights of religious minorities. Supporters of bans on Islamic veils often frame their arguments in terms of security and gender equality, contending that face coverings hinder identification and may be imposed on women against their will. Opponents, however, see such measures as discriminatory, arguing that they target Muslim women and infringe on fundamental freedoms of expression and religion.
The controversy is not confined to any one country or political camp. In Switzerland, left-leaning parties have pushed back against selective bans, insisting on equal treatment for all religious symbols. In Italy, the government’s proposed bill has been presented as a response to concerns about “Islamic separatism,” but also includes broader regulatory measures affecting religious groups. In Australia, the debate is deeply intertwined with broader anxieties about security, integration, and multiculturalism, with politicians like Hanson using the issue to rally their base.
Amid all the rhetoric, the voices of Muslim women themselves are sometimes drowned out. For many, wearing the hijab, niqab, or burqa is a matter of personal conviction and religious faith. For others, it is a symbol of modesty and identity. The challenge for policymakers is to balance these individual rights with legitimate concerns about security and social cohesion—no easy task in an era marked by polarization and fear.
As the headlines fade and new controversies emerge, the underlying questions remain: How can societies protect both security and freedom? Can secularism and religious diversity coexist without infringing on individual rights? The answers, it seems, are still very much in dispute.