The question of the capacity of Europe has resurfaced times without number, due to their crackdown on burqas, last year. Countries like France and Germany and Belgium called for the ban and people wondered how this move gelled with the ideology of freedom of expression through dressing that Europe has famously preached.

This week, Morocco followed the train of countries calling for the ban of burqas and even their production. But the real head spinner is, Morocco is a predominantly Islamic state.

“We have taken the step of completely banning the import, manufacture, and marketing of this garment in all the cities and towns of the kingdom,” the Moroccan Le360 news site has quoted a senior interior ministry official as saying.

News media in Morocco have reported that the ban of burqas, which is due to take effect soon, also prohibits import and marketing of the garment in all cities and towns. This ban is allegedly for security purposes, which is not surprising as this reason is now the go to and the only reason for countries who have also called for a ban of burqas. Although burqas, as opposed to the hijab, are not worn popularly in Morocco, it is however worn more in the north of Morocco which is a conservative region and also the home of fighters who have gone to fight in Syria and Iraq.

Last year, Morocco saw a number of arrests concerning terror threats in their country. In July, 52 suspects planning to create a branch of the Islamic State group and carry out attacks in the North African were arrested. In October, Moroccan police arrested 10 suspected female Islamic State suicide bombers who were allegedly planning to strike during parliamentary elections which were held in 2016. It believes 1,500 Moroccan nationals are fighting in Syria and Iraq, of which 220 have been jailed after returning home.

All countries need to do more to assimilate people and to be more sensitive to their culture. Now, it is highly understandable if this ban is for security reasons, but in a country where the minority are known for wearing the burqa, this is a step in the wrong direction for them because it can be interpreted as marginalisation and oppression, and this will arguably be right. It is important to know that if burqas are banned, people who use it as a cover up to perpetrate heinous crimes will find another way. Long garments can be used, bombs can be strapped under shirts, or dresses, when that happens, will the government call for the ban of clothing or will they look for another way to curtail the violence?

“It’s is my face and I am free to cover or uncover it,” Habiba, 21-year-old Zeitouna university student, Tunisia. In Tunisia, they have also called for new ‘controls’ on burqas.

Morocco has given retailers a 48-hour mandate to liquidate their stock of burqas and stop the sale of the garment completely.