Dutch MP Jeanine Hennis - from the right-wing liberal party VVD, the largest party in the current government - is calling for a ban on the wearing of Muslim headscarves by public servants who work at town halls. The politician says all religions are equal in her eyes and that the ban should cover all religious symbols.
Ms Hennis made her comments during an interview with free newspaper De Pers. “When do you wear the headscarf? I’d like to instigate a debate on the matter - an open discussion on the separation between church and state,” she said.
The VVD MP said she’d also like universities and schools to participate in the debate but the coun try’s Christian parties (three in parliament) stand in the way of bringing the subject into the open. “They regard it as an infringement on freedom of religion,” she added.
Rejecting the stance of the Christian parties, Ms Hennis argues that freedom of religion is enshrined in and protected by the law.