Warning: UAE Embassy cautions Emiratis of burqa ban

Dubai: The UAE Embassy in Copenhagen has issued an advisory to Emiratis travelling to Denmark in the wake of the recent burqa ban.

On its official Twitter account, the UAE embassy announced: “We would like to inform our citizens that the Kingdom of Denmark has officially passed a law that bans the niqab and the burqa, all face coverings, hats, masks, or fake beards."

It also stated that the law, which comes into effect on August 1, 2018, “will fine violators Kr1,000 (Dh576) for the first three offenses, and Kr10,000 (Dh5,767) for the fourth offense."

The Danish government previously said that the new law is not aimed at any religions and does not ban headscarves, turbans or the traditional Jewish skull cap.

According to previous Gulf News reports, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Internal Cooperation (MoFAIC) urged Emirati men not to wear the national dress while travelling abroad, especially in public places, for safety reasons.

The travel advisory was issued in 2016 following reports of an Emirati businessman who was detained by police in the American city of Avon, Ohio, after he was mistaken for a Daesh member.