The decision on whether a woman should wear the Islamic veil should be an individual’s choice, as it is a very personal one, Director of the Arabic Culture Information Society Sanaa El Nahaal told The Malta Independent.

Ms El Nahaal’s comments came in view of a recent ban in France on the face-covering Islamic veil being worn in public. This has meant that women who wear the veil will be breaking the law.

Women who insist on wearing the veil may incur a €150 fine, amongst other penalties. People who force women to wear a veil are subject to a much larger fine.

The ban, which was approved in September and came into effect last Monday, affects women who wear the niqab, which has just a slit for the eyes, and the burqa, which has a mesh screen over the eyes.

Ms El Nahaal explained that she is not in favour of the face-covering veil being worn; but this is her own personal opinion. She insisted that in her opinion this should be up to the individuals, to do as they deem fit.

In Malta, she said, there are only two women who opt to wear the face-covering veil. It is worth noting that these women are not Arab women, but rather they are both Maltese women who have converted to Islam, Ms El Nahaal said.

She also insists that in both these cases it was completely the women’s personal decision to wear the veil, and it was not in any way influenced by their husbands.

In her opinion there is nothing wrong with the face being uncovered, especially if a woman wants to go out to work, for example. People often want to see a face in such instances, she said.

There are people who opt to wear it, whereas others are not so keen, she said, adding that the Koran does not stipulate that it must be worn, and in fact it is rather open to interpretation.

In Saudi Arabia and the surrounding area, this has been interpreted as being part of what the Koran teaches, she said, but nevertheless it is not obligatory. She said that the Koran leaves it up to the individual to do as they feel right.

“When Muslims pray at Mecca, the woman is not completely covered, in fact Mohammed had said that her face must be uncovered,” she explained, adding that she thinks this is because everyone must be identified.

The fact is that when one lives abroad, then they must respect the laws and traditions of the country, Ms El Nahaal insisted, just as they should be respected if someone visits a Muslim country.