A woman has been attacked in Austria for telling a Muslim she was breaking the law by wearing a veil – just days after a burka ban came in to effect in the country.
The teacher reminded the burka-clad woman about the ban near the Zieglergasse metro station in the Austrian capital Vienna.
But moments later, she claimed she was pushed to the ground with her alleged attacker insisting she did not have to abide by the law.
A woman has been attacked in Austria for telling a Muslim she was breaking the law by wearing a veil – just days after a burka ban came in to effect in the country (file picture)
The teacher, who wished the remain anonymous, claimed that she had been branded a ‘racist’ as a group of young men gathered to support the burka-clad woman.
Police were called in to calm the situation.
The teacher is quoted as saying: ‘They took my personal details and brought the burka-wearer to the police station for identification.’
According to the police, it was the first such incident in Vienna since the implementation of the burka-ban, which came into effect on October 1.
The law was adopted by Austria’s parliament in May.
Those who cover their faces with a burka, niqab or a mask in public spaces will be fined 150 EUR (£132).
The teacher reminded the burka-clad woman about the ban near the Zieglergasse metro station in the Austrian capital Vienna (file picture) only for her comment to be dismissed
It come as it emerged today that Denmark will ban full-face coverings, including Islamic veils such as the niqab or burka.
Jakob Ellemann-Jensen, of Denmark’s liberal party that leads a centre-right governing coalition, said a law proposal was not aimed at any religion.
He also said it was not a ban of scarfs, turbans or kippa, the traditional Jewish skull cap. Mr Ellemann-Jensen spoke on Friday after a meeting in parliament.
The burka ban is believed to enjoy widespread support, including from the opposition Social Democrats.
The move is mostly seen as directed at the dress worn by some ultra-conservative Muslim women although few Muslim women in Denmark wear full-face veils.
No date for a formal vote was announced but Austria, France and Belgium have similar laws.