Models in burqas walk the runway at Copenhagen Fashion Week

Models wearing burqas and niqabs have strutted down the catwalk at Copenhagen Fashion Week in protest of Denmark’s ban on Islamic face coverings.

Iranian-born designer Reza Etamadi caused a stir as he showed off his MUF10 brand on Wednesday, days after the law came into effect on August 1.

‘I have a duty to support all women’s freedom of speech and freedom of thought,’ he said.

Models wearing burqas and niqabs strutted down the catwalk at Copenhagen Fashion Week in protest of Denmark’s ban on Islamic face coverings in public places 

His show included women in the full-body garments as well as a model wearing a hijab with sunglasses and a t-shirt with Arabic writing on it

His show included women in the full-body garments as well as a model wearing a hijab with sunglasses and a t-shirt with Arabic writing on it

Mr Etamadi said that by enforcing the ban, authorities were violating women’s rights and ‘the free choice we in the Western world are known for and proud to have.’ 

His show included women in the full-body garments as well as a model wearing a hijab with sunglasses and a t-shirt with Arabic writing on it.

Beefy male models dressed as police were also part of the provocative display, either representing the enforcement of the law or the demonstrations the previous week.

There was also a huge pile of flowers and two masked men sitting on the ground in handcuffs next to the policemen.

There was also a huge pile of flowers and two masked men sitting on the ground in handcuffs next to the policemen

There was also a huge pile of flowers and two masked men sitting on the ground in handcuffs next to the policemen

 At one point a female model dressed as a policewoman hugged one of the niqab-wearing women

 At one point a female model dressed as a policewoman hugged one of the niqab-wearing women

 Mr Etamadi said that by enforcing the ban, authorities were violating women's rights and 'the free choice we in the Western world are known for and proud to have'

 Mr Etamadi said that by enforcing the ban, authorities were violating women’s rights and ‘the free choice we in the Western world are known for and proud to have’

At one point a female model dressed as a policewoman hugged one of the niqab-wearing women, possibly reenacting a similar scene during the protest.

Denmark’s much-debated ‘Burqa Ban’ prohibits burqas and niqab – a Muslim head and torso covering which only shows the eyes – in public places. Both are rare in the Scandinavian country.

Protesters wearing niqab and body-length burqas marched in Copenhagen on August 1 to protest against the laws on the day they came into force.

Hundreds of demonstrators, most with children, marched in solidarity with Muslim women despite risking fines of 1,000 kroner (£120) or jail time. 

Non-niqab-wearing Muslim women and non-Muslim Danes with faces masked or covered also took part.

The hug between the policewoman and niqab-wearing models was possibly reenacting a similar scene  when protester Ayah, 37, wept as she was embraced by a police officer during a demonstration on August 1

The hug between the policewoman and niqab-wearing models was possibly reenacting a similar scene when protester Ayah, 37, wept as she was embraced by a police officer during a demonstration on August 1

Protesters wearing niqab and body-length burqas marched in Copenhagen on August 1 to protest against the laws on the day they came into force

Protesters wearing niqab and body-length burqas marched in Copenhagen on August 1 to protest against the laws on the day they came into force

Denmark's face veil ban will affect Muslim women who argue the controversial law 'specifically targets a religious minority'

Denmark’s face veil ban will affect Muslim women who argue the controversial law ‘specifically targets a religious minority’

Restrictions on Islamic face veils were approved by MPs in May after being brought forward by the country’s centre-right coalition, known for tightening asylum and immigration rules in recent years.

Anyone forcing a person to wear garments covering the face by using force or threats can be fined or face up to two years in prison.

Austria, France and Belgium have similar bans, claiming they are not aimed at any religion in particular, and don’t ban headscarves, turbans or the traditional Jewish skull cap.

As of 2017, non-Western immigrants, about half of whom are Muslim, account for 8.7 percent of Denmark’s 5.7 million population.

Denmark's much-debated 'Burqa Ban' prohibits burqas and niqab - a Muslim head and torso covering which only shows the eyes - in public places. The hijab and Chador are still allowed

Denmark’s much-debated ‘Burqa Ban’ prohibits burqas and niqab – a Muslim head and torso covering which only shows the eyes – in public places. The hijab and Chador are still allowed



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