Pauline Hanson’s Burqa Stunt had a Silent Protest

Australian Senator Pauline Hanson was seen in Parliament wearing a burqa for the second time since 2017. She is trying to ban the burqa and all face coverings in Australia and has been blocked from getting the chance to introduce this bill.  

“Why have so many countries banned the burqa?” Hanson asked. “Why have Islamic countries banned it as well?”

According to Reddit, some Islamic countries that have banned the burqa include Egypt, Belgium, Morocco, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.

The burqa covers everything, which is why it is the main concern for being banned in a lot of countries. It is different from the hijab, which only covers the hair, and the niqab, which covers the face except for the eyes. 

According to ClearIAS, the ban is meant to address debates over religious freedom and women’s rights. Since full-body cover-ups, or face coverings, are typically reserved for women, they are limited in what they can and cannot do. 

Image provided by Wikimedia Commons

“So, if the Parliament won’t ban it, I will display the oppressive, radical, non-religious head grab that risks our national security and the ill-treatment of women on the floor of our parliament so that every Australian knows what’s at stake,” Hanson wrote, according to CBS News. “If they don’t want me wearing it – ban the burqa.” 

Hanson has been trying to get this ban for years; she says they just cannot be worn in public. It is impossible to verify someone solely by their eyes, especially when they must take a picture for an ID. 

The Senate has banned Hanson from the chamber for seven days following this silent protest, but this ban does not silence her. She plans to run for the next election and will continue trying to ban the burqa in Australia.  

Before Hanson’s 2025 Parliament protest, she mentioned in a 2016 maiden speech that Australia was “in danger of being swamped by Muslims.” In 1996, she also said Australia was “in danger of being swamped by Asians.” 

Sen. Fatima Payman spoke up about how this is a disrespect to the Muslim faith and that something needs to be done. 

“If this is about the dress code, she is disrespecting a faith. She is disrespecting the Muslim’s out there, Muslim Australians. It’s absolutely unconstitutional; this needs to be dealt with immediately before we proceed.”

The rage in the room was not only seen but heard by Sen. Mehreen Faruqi, who believes Hanson is racist, showing Islamic phobia. While speaking, Faruqi was looking at Hanson, who was silently sitting and listening without reacting. 

“I do have the utmost respect for people of whatever faith they may be,” Hanson said during a SkyNews interview. “That’s why I stood up for the Jewish people. I’m not Jewish, but I stood up for their rights.” 

Whether this action is genuine or if it is unconstitutional is still up for debate, and if it will happen a third time still isn’t confirmed. Will the conversation about the ban on the burqa in Australia ever happen?