In France, a law that would ban the wearing in public of the "Islamic full veil" is set to be adopted this month.

The burqa (or burka) is an Islamic veil that covers the entire face and body such that the identity of the person wearing it is impossible to tell. I am sure that you know what I am referring to.

The niqab is a less concealing cover but still covers a good part of the face.

The two are not to be confused with the hijab, which is the most common veil worn by Muslim women and leaves the face uncovered.

I have yet to see someone wearing the burqa or the niqab in Malta, although the hijab is rather common and does not raise appear to raise any issues.

Likewise, in Europe, the use of the burqa is very limited.

So why are there calls to have it banned?

Possibly, it is because the ban often finds support across the left-right political divide, albeit for different reasons.

Whereas the left insists that the burqa is a flagrant breach of women's rights, the right argues that people who conceal their identity in public places may constitute security risks.

Even the far-right supports the ban - because of a lack of sympathy with anything Muslim.

On the other hand, those who oppose the ban consider that the idea of prohibiting something is in itself repressive and intolerant of cultures and religions. This argument is usually upheld by the more liberal among us. But it also finds sympathy with those who baulked at the idea of banning the crucifix in classrooms. For them, touching religious symbols is out of bounds.

I am more inclined to sympathise with those who oppose the ban because I feel that an outright prohibition smacks of intolerance and I am uncomfortable with the state telling you what to do in your personal life. And the fact that so few people actually use the burqa and the...

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