Against Islamophobia: support the right to wear the hijab, niqab and burqa

Policy background

Women who wear the hijab, niqab or burqa are bearing the brunt of the rise of racism against people of Muslim faith or those from a Middle Eastern background since the terrorist attacks in the US on September 1, 2001.

The subsequent bi-partisan anti-terror laws have promoted more generalised anti-Muslim racism.

Policy

The Socialist Alliance does not support any law banning or restricting the wearing of religious garb. The argument that a ban on head coverings is about promoting feminism is false: feminism is about choices and rights.

Socialist Alliance supports and campaigns for:

• The right of individual women to  make the decision whether or not to wear the hijab, niqab or the burqa;
• An end to anti-Muslim discrimination in workplaces and communities against people who choose to wear a head covering.