A coalition of more than 40 Muslim organizations in Finland has issued a firm statement rejecting recent political calls to ban face-covering religious garments such as the niqab in schools and public spaces.
The joint declaration, released on September 24, was endorsed by groups including the Muslim Forum of Finland and the Federation of Islamic Organizations in Finland. The signatories criticized the proposals as “political theater” that target a marginal issue while undermining core democratic values such as religious freedom and equality.
A Rare Practice Misrepresented in Public Debate
The statement highlighted that the niqab is rarely worn in Finland, while the burqa is virtually non-existent. Most Muslim women, it explained, wear the hijab, which leaves the face uncovered. By conflating these different garments, the groups argued, politicians are distorting public discussion and creating unnecessary division.
“This is a classic example of populism, focusing on a marginal issue that barely exists in Finnish society,” the statement read.
Criticism of Political Priorities
The Muslim organizations accused lawmakers of pursuing symbolic restrictions rather than addressing real challenges facing schools and youth, including:
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Teacher and staff shortages
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Limited educational resources
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Rising cases of bullying
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Increasing mental health issues among students
They argued that banning the niqab would not resolve any genuine societal problem but would instead stigmatize Muslim women and shrink their sense of belonging in Finnish society.
Equality and Choice at the Core
The statement emphasized that most women who wear the niqab do so voluntarily as adults. Using “protection of minors” as justification for a ban was described as disproportionate and unnecessary.
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The organizations referenced Section 6.3 of the Finnish Constitution, which states that all children must be treated as individuals and given opportunities to participate in matters affecting them.
“True equality means respecting all women’s choices, not just those that align with dominant cultural norms,” the groups declared.
Legal and International Concerns
The coalition warned that restricting religious clothing would breach both Finland’s Constitution and international human rights agreements ratified by the country. They pointed to the UN Human Rights Committee’s ruling that France’s blanket ban on the niqab violates the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The organizations also noted the COVID-19 pandemic experience, when face coverings became widespread without major legal conflicts regarding identity checks. They argued similar practical solutions could apply for religious garments.
Warning Against Islamophobia
According to the statement, political rhetoric surrounding the niqab risks fueling Islamophobia, portraying Muslims as outsiders, and excluding Muslim women from public life. Some political actors, they said, promote gender equality in words while simultaneously using dismissive language toward Muslim women.
Call for Dialogue and Real Solutions
The Muslim groups urged Finnish policymakers to focus on genuine issues in education and youth welfare instead of pushing forward symbolic bans that divide society.
“Freedom of religion and equality are not negotiable values. They apply to everyone in Finland, regardless of cultural or religious background,” the declaration concluded.
The organizations called for more dialogue and understanding, stressing that restrictive laws targeting religious minorities could set a dangerous precedent for all minority groups in Finland.
