Stara Zagora becomes second Bulgarian municipality to ban the burqa

The southern Bulgarian municipality of Stara Zagora became the second in two days to vote to ban the wearing of the burqa in public places.

The proposal to outlaw the wearing of garments that cover the face while in public was tabled by two councillors, one from GERB – the majority party in the national governing coalition – and the other from the National Front for the Salvation of Bulgaria, which through the Patriotic Front coalition is part of the government coalition agreement.

Stara Zagora municipality, officially reported to have a population of about 160 000, also banned the holding of public religious events that could disturb the peace of the community or were against “morality and traditions”.

Religious events may be held only in officially-recognised houses of worship, the municipality decided.

The April 28 decision came a day after the municipal council in the southern Bulgarian town of Pazardzhik voted in a similar ban, by an overwhelming majority...
 [mme.bg]
28/4/16