mrali

Hi everyone,

Just a basic question since my family is planning to visit these countries later this year. Can a women wear a head scarf in European countries?

kerouac

Yes, you can. In France, the niqab is illegal in public but hijabs are very common (except in state schools where no religious garb of any kind is allowed).

Mainhattengirl

Very common in Germany. You won't get a 2nd glance.

pyetookh

Quite strong anti-islamic mood in Czech Republic but it is not illeagal and nobody will hurt you. Very safe.

fourfortravel

Women with head scarves blend in here in the tourist areas of Vienna just as those with blue/pink/purple hair, fur coats, lip rings, white sneakers and full-on Burqas do. No one will notice.

Cowboy1968

With 5 million Muslims in Germany, niqabs are common everywhere.
Hijabs are somewhat common in the major cities with also traditional communities and/or with tourists from the Gulf states.
If you look for religious services while in Berlin, you could check out the mosques at Columbiadamm in the district of Tempelhof or the newest mosque in Kreuzberg near Görlitzer Bahnhof subway station. The former is quite an architectural beauty in addition.

hetismij2

Hijabs are very common in the Netherlands too. Absolutely no problem with them here.

Niqabs and Burqas tend to be worn by recent (African) arrivals. In time they too seem to switch to a hijab.

PatrickLondon

If not, someone's in trouble:
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-st...gallery&ino=11

Cowboy1968

Sorry.. I confused niqab and hijab in my posting.. I meant it the other way around: HIjabs are very common, niqabs are not that common..

Micheline

LOL Patrick London!

mrali

Thank you all

Was just concerned a bit b/c we hear sometimes regarding this in france. Thanks for clearing about france.

Does anyone have any idea about italy?

kerouac

Hijabs are common in all of the EU countries.

bvlenci

Hijabs are also very common in Italy, and don't cause a second glance in most places.

Christina

You probably heard that the niqab or burqa is illegal in public in France, not just a head scarf. Anything covering the face, like a mask, burqa, balaclava, etc., is illegal in public.

bilboburgler

So what do you do about motor bike helmets in France?

kerouac

You can't walk into a building wearing one. But I saw that interdiction in Asia long before I ever saw it in France.