Plovdiv would be the third Bulgarian city to ban the burqa, Muslim women's garb that covers the face and head, as a proposal to forbid the burqa in public is under consideration in the city's municipal council.
The proposal to ban the use of Islamic garments that cover the face was submitted by the nationalist Patriotic Front coalition following similar restrictions introduced in Stara Zagora and Pazardzhik cities.
If any Muslim woman goes out in public wearing a burqa after the proposal has been made law, she would face a €150-500 fine the first time, according to the proposal.
For a second time, she would be fined 500 to 750 euro.
Plovdiv city mayor Ivan Totev expressed his support for the proposal, saying he would back the ban.
Muslim communities in Bulgaria strongly oppose restrictions on the burqa for Muslim women.
Secretary General and Spokesman of the Bulgarian Grand Mufti's Office Cela Faik, stated that the proposed legislation would prevent Muslim women from dressing according to Islamic law.
“As the Grand Mufti's Office, we oppose this,” he said, adding that few Muslim women wear the burqa in the country.
Vedat Ahmed, head of the Supreme Muslim Council of Bulgaria, said this attempt is part of an anti-Muslim campaign.
“This black campaign is not bounded only in Bulgaria, there are many developments in Europe regarding the issue,” he said.
Muslims also expressed their fear that a ban on the burqa could spread rapidly across Bulgaria.
