LOC18:52
15:52 GMT
BRUSSELS, Jan 31 (KUNA) -- A court in the Brussels borough of Etterbeek has
acquitted a Muslim woman who was taken to court for wearing the niqab, local
media reports said today.
The magistrate ruled that a fine for wearing the niqab was not in
proportion to the offence.
Last year Belgium's lower house of parliament passed a legislation banning
the full veil, or burqa, but because of the current political crisis in the
country the bill is yet to go before the Senate for its approval.
It is estimated that only about 30 Muslim women wear the burqa in Belgium
which has a population of a about 450,000 Muslims. (end)
nk.mt
KUNA 311852 Jan 11NNNN