A woman wearing the traditional burqa walks along a street in Kabul. It may soon be an offence to do so in public in France. – Reuters picPARIS, July 13 – French lawmakers today voted to ban full-length veils in public places, putting France on the road to becoming the second European country to take steps to make wearing the burqa or niqab a criminal offence.

France is home to Europe’s largest Muslim minority, with about five million Muslims.

The law, which must still be approved by the Senate, would mean women wearing the veil in public can be fined 150 euros (RM605.2). It now goes to the constitutional council for a review.

The Belgium lower house of parliament voted in April to ban all clothing that covers or partially covers the face. – Reuters