Sweden Considers Ban on Full-Face Veils Amidst Concerns Over Integration and Women’s Rights
Sweden is debating a potential ban on burqas and niqabs in public spaces, fueled by concerns over integration, security, and the rights of women. The proposal, spearheaded by Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch, reflects a growing sentiment within the country regarding the compatibility of full-face veils with Swedish values.
Busch has stated firmly that Islam must adapt to Swedish society, asserting, “We don’t want to see burqas and niqabs in public in Sweden…burqa has no home in Sweden and we should not make way for it.” She frames the potential ban as a necessary step to uphold fundamental Swedish values of equality between men and women.
The debate comes as other European nations, including France, Denmark, Switzerland, and Austria, have already implemented restrictions on face-covering veils. The Swedish proposal follows a similar move by the Italian government to ban burqas and niqabs in public places, citing a desire to prevent “cultural separatism.”
According to a recent survey conducted by SVT/Verian in December 2025, almost half of Swedes support a ban on full-face veils in public. The survey, which included over 2,700 respondents, revealed a significant divide in opinion, with roughly half favoring a ban and a third opposing it.
Support for a ban is particularly strong among voters who support the current government and the Sweden Democrats party, with over seven in ten favoring restrictions. Conversely, opposition to a ban is most prevalent among voters of the Left Party and the Green Party.
The issue is also linked to concerns about the prevalence of harmful practices like female genital mutilation (FGM) within Sweden. Busch highlighted that approximately 68,000 women and girls in Sweden are reportedly victims of FGM, framing the burqa and niqab debate as part of a broader effort to protect women’s rights.
The discussion surrounding the potential ban has also brought to light reports of “no-go zones” in Sweden where sharia patrols allegedly enforce dress codes on women. These reports, while unconfirmed in detail, contribute to the anxieties driving the debate.
Not all Muslims within Sweden support a ban. Some argue that the decision to wear a burqa or niqab is a personal choice rooted in religious devotion. Fadoome, a Muslim woman who wears a headscarf, expressed her belief that those who choose to wear full-face veils do so as an expression of their love for God, comparing it to other personal clothing choices like wearing shorts or a tank top.
Conversely, Mohammed, a Muslim man, voiced his opposition to the practice, describing it as “oppression” and suggesting that those who wish to wear such garments should do so in countries where it is accepted, such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, or Dubai.
The debate over banning burqas and niqabs in Sweden is unfolding against a backdrop of broader European discussions about the integration of Muslim communities and the role of religious symbols in public life. The Swedish government’s consideration of a ban signals a potential shift towards stricter regulations on face-covering veils, reflecting a growing emphasis on national values and security concerns.
