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?

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).

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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..

LOL Patrick London!

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?

Hijabs are common in all of the EU countries.

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

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.

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

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