Published: 23 Sep 2016
- Muslim pupils must shake hands – ‘no ifs and buts’ (20 Sep 16)
- Geneva advises teachers on religion in school (24 Aug 16)
- Anger as Basel pool bans ‘maxi burqinis’ (29 Apr 16)
- School tells Muslim pupil to take off veil in class (24 Aug 15)
At the moment a person may wear a headscarf in an official photograph – for example for a passport or driving licence – for reasons of faith, as long as the face is identifiable.
However headbands and baseball caps are forbidden.
The official guidelines for passport and identity card photos set out by Swiss federal police (FedPol) say “headcoverings are in principle unacceptable… exceptions are only made for medical or religious reasons.
“In those cases the face must be visible… and there should not be shadows on the face”.
Walter Wobmann of the Swiss People’s Party (SVP) thinks that’s unfair, reported Blick on Thursday.
The right-wing politician, who has previously campaigned against minarets and the burqa, said: “It is unacceptable that you can wear a hijab in a photo but not a cap”.
“This is not a question of religious freedom but of equal treatment,” he added.
He told Blick that he plans to discuss the issue with the federal government on Monday before considering whether to pursue a total ban.
SOURCE: https://www.thelocal.ch/20160923/swiss-politician-argues-against-hijab-in-id-photos
Categories: Europe, Europe and Australia, Switzerland
A photo should look like the person that is travelling. If that person always travels wearing a hijab then a photo with a hijab is more appropriate. But politicians seek votes not wisdom.