Dutch bracing for Muslim backlash over burqa ban plan

Dutch diplomats are bracing for a backlash in the Islamic world following the government’s decision to outlaw head-to-toe Islamic robes and other clothing that covers the face in public.

"In the current climate, you can expect a strong reaction (to the new law)," an internal foreign ministry memo said, according to Dutch daily Algemeen Dagblad.

A foreign ministry spokesman did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

Over the weekend, Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar called the move “imbalanced treatment” of Muslims.

“Why can’t people have the freedom to dress the way they want?” he said. “The world will be a better place if we understood diversity.”

Hard-line Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk announced on Friday that the conservative government would draw up “as soon as possible” a law banning the wearing in public of the burqa and other clothing that covers the face including ski masks.