Former Social Democratic Party (PSD) president Rui Rio expressed on Sunday his lack of understanding regarding the “controversy surrounding the ban on wearing the burqa in public spaces,” a measure he described as “basic common sense” in light of Portugal’s “cultural and civilizational values.”
“I do not understand the controversy around the prohibition of wearing the burqa in public spaces. It is a measure of basic common sense considering our cultural and civilizational values. Those who wish to live in Portugal must, obviously, respect them,” wrote the presidential candidate representative of Henrique Gouveia e Melo on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
He further included a news report from May 2022 by the Lusa agency, which stated that “women in Afghanistan [are] obliged to wear a burqa in public.”
Não entendo a polémica em torno da proibição do uso da BURCA em espaços públicos. É uma medida de elementar bom senso em função dos nossos valores culturais e civilizacionais. Quem quer viver em Portugal tem, obviamente, de os respeitar. https://t.co/rjuoH2ju1b
— Rui Rio (@RuiRioPT) October 19, 2025
Imam of the Lisbon Central Mosque, David Munir, accused politicians of “blinding the Portuguese people” with the new legislation against the use of the burqa, adopting an Islamophobic and anti-immigrant discourse instead of addressing the country’s problems.
The sheikh highlighted that “a handful of Muslim women” wear the burqa (fully covered body) in Portugal, while “a dozen or so” choose the niqab (face-covering veil).
“Practically speaking, how many Muslim women have been caught with their faces covered doing something that jeopardized security?” he questioned. And answered: “None.”
David Munir also assured that there are no cases of Muslim women refusing to identify themselves to authorities while wearing a burqa or niqab.
The imam of the Lisbon Central Mosque today accused politicians of “blinding the Portuguese people” with the new legislation against the use of the burqa and adopting an Islamophobic and anti-immigrant discourse instead of tackling the country’s problems.
Lusa | 17:22 – 17/10/2025
It is noted that PSD, IL, and CDS-PP approved, in general terms, the proposal of the Chega party to prohibit the use of the burqa in public spaces, citing women’s rights and security issues last Friday. The initiative also received votes against from PS, Livre, BE, and PCP, with PAN and JPP abstaining.
Through this law, Chega proposes that “the use, in public spaces, of clothing intended to cover or hinder the display of the face” be prohibited, with some exceptions. During the debate, the leader of that party specified the aim is to forbid “women from wearing burqas in Portugal” with a particular focus on immigrants.
“Whoever arrives in Portugal, no matter where they come from, with whatever customs or religion they have, must above all comply with, respect, and ensure respect for the customs and values of this country,” advocated André Ventura.
