Bulgarians Vehemently Against Islamic Headscarves - Survey

The issue of the use of Islamic headscarves has been thrust into the spotlight once again in Europe due to controversial moves by France and Belgium to ban Muslim full face veils. Photo by Getty Images

Bulgaria ranks highest in a survey, which assesses Europeans' opposition to allowing Islamic headscarves in schools.

More than 80% of the Bulgarian and 65% of the French respondents said they were opposed to the veil, according to the study carried out by the research department of BBVA, Spain's second-largest bank.

A total 52.6% of those polled in 12 European Union member states along were "opposed" or "totally opposed" to the use of the garment in schools,

Oppoosition was lowest in Poland with only 25.6% against followed by Denmark with 28.1% opposed.

By contrast 54.4% of those polled were in favour of classrooms displaying crucifixes.

In Spain and Italy, two nations with a strong Roman Catholic tradition, support for the use of crucifixes in classrooms stood at 69.9% and 49.3% respectively.

Support for the use of crucifixes in classrooms shot up to 77% in Britain and 78.8% in Denmark.

The issue of the use of Islamic headscarves has been thrust into the spotlight once again in Europe due to controversial moves by France and Belgium to ban Muslim full face veils.

Last week France announced it would seek a law to ban Muslim residents and visitors from wearing a burqa or a niqab in public, while Belgium was poised to pass a similar ban until its ruling coalition collapsed on Thursday.

The BBVA study polled 1,500 people in 12 EU member states — Belgium, Britain, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Sweden — as well as in Switzerland and Turkey on a variety of issues.

The question on the use of the veil and crucifixes in classrooms was posed only to participants in the study in the EU member states.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!