Museum director apologises in Muslim veil row

VEILED APOLOGY: Venice museum head says sorry after guard insists female Gulf visitor removes her niqab. (Getty Images)

The head of one of Venice’s most prestigious museums has apologised to a Muslim woman from the Gulf region after she was asked to leave the building by a guard because she was wearing a veil over her face.

The episode occurred in Venice’s Ca’ Rezzonico museum, which houses 18th century Venetian art.

“I’m sorry for what happened and if she ever wants to return to our museum, she will be more than welcome,” director Filippo Pedrocco told Reuters by telephone from Venice.

The woman, who was visiting the museum with her husband and children, had cleared security when she entered the building.

When she reached the second floor, a room guard told her she must remove her “niqab” — which leaves only the eyes visible — or leave.

The woman, believed to have been a member of a well-off family from a Gulf state, refused and left the building.

“The room guard was over-zealous. He should not have done it. She already passed security and his only duty was to guarantee the safety of the artwork in his room,” Pedrocco said.

Italian anti-terrorism laws dating from the 1970s ban the wearing of face coverings in public but they are rarely enforced in case of Muslim veils.

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my two dirhams
Posted by made kresna, dubai, uae on Sunday 31 August 2008 at 11:40 UAE time


as far as i'm concerned (and as informed to me by my emirati guides and my muslim friends alike), while women are required to cover their hair and bodies, wearing face veil is more of a culture. thus, with all due respect, i believe face veils should be taken off when required by local laws. or is there really any reference regarding face veils in the Koran?

Everyone's religion should be respected
Posted by muhammad irfan, dubai, U.A.E on Friday 29 August 2008 at 18:16 UAE time


Well the lady left. And Yes all the europeans here in Dubai respect the Muslims laws a lot. They never were micro mini skirts, they never get intimate in public. you never find them drunk on the road or at the checkin counters at the airport.

Stick to the rules
Posted by Graham Plater, Munich, Germany on Friday 29 August 2008 at 02:15 UAE time

In Italy, and in most other European countries, the law requires that individuals show their faces in public places. This is expected of everyone, regardless of their religion. Non-muslims are expected to respect local customs and follow the rules when in a Muslim country, and it it is only logical that the reverse holds true in Europe. One ethical standard for everyone, wherever they come from and whatever they believe in - not like in the UAE, where the local population enjoys "untouchable" status whatever happens.

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