Italy is once again at the heart of a heated debate over religious freedom, national identity, and women’s rights after the ruling Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, announced plans to introduce a sweeping ban on the wearing of burqas and niqabs in public spaces nationwide. The draft legislation, unveiled in early October 2025, has quickly become one of the most controversial proposals of the year, drawing both praise and fierce criticism from across the political and social spectrum.
The proposed law aims to prohibit the wearing of full-body garments—specifically the burqa, which covers the wearer from head to toe with a mesh screen over the eyes, and the niqab, a veil that conceals the face but leaves the area around the eyes visible—in all public places throughout Italy. According to Yonhap News and Politico Europe, the ban would extend to locations such as schools, universities, offices, shops, government buildings, and other commercial or communal areas. Violators could face fines ranging from 300 to 3,000 euros (about $350 to $3,500), a penalty designed to serve as a strong deterrent.
Sara Kelani, the FdI’s official in charge of immigration, explained at a recent press conference that the bill is part of a broader initiative to counter what the party describes as “Islamic separatism.” Kelani elaborated, “Essentially, it addresses the regulation of mosque funding, bans the use of full-face veils, and emphasizes legal regulations against forced marriage.” The legislation also seeks to introduce stricter transparency requirements for religious institutions, particularly those lacking formal agreements with the Italian state. Under the proposal, such organizations—including all Muslim groups, as Islam currently lacks formal state recognition—would be required to disclose all sources of funding, with foreign contributions permitted only if deemed not to threaten state security.
The bill’s inspiration, according to Andrea Delmastro, a prominent FdI lawmaker and one of the bill’s sponsors, comes directly from France’s 2011 ban on face-covering garments. “Freedom of religion is sacred, but it must be exercised publicly with full respect for our constitution and the principles of the Italian state,” Delmastro wrote on social media. He continued, “It is based on a deep conviction that no foreign funding should undermine our sovereignty or civilization.”
Italy’s move follows a pattern seen across Europe over the past decade and a half. France became the first European country to implement a full ban on the burqa in public spaces in 2011, a law that was subsequently upheld by both France’s Constitutional Council and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) after being challenged on religious freedom grounds. Since then, more than 20 countries—including Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria, Tunisia, Turkey, and Sri Lanka—have enacted either full or partial bans on face-covering Islamic attire. In 2017, the ECHR upheld Belgium’s prohibition, ruling that states may enforce such restrictions in the interests of “living together” in society, a phrase that has since become a rallying point for supporters of such laws.
Within Italy, some regions have already taken steps in this direction. Lombardy, for instance, has prohibited entry into public buildings and hospitals for anyone with a covered face since 2015. The new national legislation, however, would standardize these rules across the country and extend them to all public spaces.
Supporters of the bill argue that it is necessary to defend Italian secular values, national sovereignty, and public security. They insist that the measure is not intended to restrict religious rights, but rather to protect women’s freedom and ensure that religious practices do not undermine the principles of the Italian state. “Officials claim the law protects Italian identity and women’s freedom without restricting religious rights,” reported Watch. The legislation also seeks to crack down on practices deemed incompatible with Italian law and values, such as forced marriages and virginity testing. The bill introduces new criminal provisions, including penalties for performing virginity tests and tougher punishments for forced marriages, recognizing religious coercion as a prosecutable offense.
Yet, the proposal has not been without its detractors. Critics warn that the law could disproportionately target Muslim women, restrict religious freedom, and stigmatize religious minorities. As reported by Asia Business Daily, many fear that the ban will further marginalize Muslim communities and may be used as a tool of exclusion rather than integration. The bill’s focus on foreign funding and financial transparency for religious organizations has also raised concerns about potential overreach and discrimination, as no Muslim organizations in Italy currently enjoy the formal recognition granted to 13 other religious groups.
Debate over the legislation has also exposed divisions within the Italian government itself. Earlier this year, the League—a coalition partner in Meloni’s government—proposed a more limited bill focused specifically on face coverings, which is still under review in a parliamentary commission. It remains unclear whether this proposal will be merged with the more comprehensive FdI-backed bill. Nevertheless, with the ruling coalition holding a strong majority in parliament, most observers expect the legislation to pass, though no specific timeline for debate or a final vote has been announced.
Internationally, Italy’s proposed ban is being watched closely. The European Court of Human Rights has consistently sided with national governments on similar issues, granting them considerable leeway to enact restrictions in the name of public security, secularism, or social cohesion. However, each new law reignites arguments over the balance between individual rights and collective values, particularly in multicultural societies grappling with questions of integration and identity.
The Italian government maintains that the proposed measures are about upholding the constitution, protecting women, and defending the nation’s secular character. Opponents counter that such laws risk alienating already vulnerable communities and could have the unintended consequence of pushing religious practices underground. As the debate unfolds, the story of Italy’s burqa and niqab ban is becoming a touchstone for broader discussions about religious liberty, national identity, and the meaning of citizenship in modern Europe.
With the world watching and passions running high on all sides, Italy’s parliament faces a pivotal decision—one that will shape the country’s social fabric for years to come.
