Turkey: Dutch state visit and the Muslim veil

Ahmet Necdet Sezer, the Turkish president, will be absent from a concert organized by Queen Beatrix during her state visit in Turkey. Officially it was said that protocol forbids him from attending, but the problem is actually a Turkish law from 1924 that forbids wearing a veil in public buildings.

The Nederlands Blazers Ensemble concert is taking place in the University of Ankara. There are many people invited, some of whom will wear the Muslim veil.

Last year Sezer was absent for the same reason from a gala organized by the Swedish king.

Source: Spits (Dutch)

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