Brussels, June 25: Making history as Europe’s first ever hijab-clad lawmaker, Belgian MP Mahinur Ozdemir hopes to shatter some of the misperceptions about the Muslim head cover.
“Underneath this veil there is a personality,” Ozdemir told.
“There is someone who is engaged, who wants things to change, who wants to move forward and execute lots of projects for the people of Brussels.”
Making history, Ozdemir, 26, took the oath of office, at the parliament in Brussels.
Europe’s Proud, Integrated Muslim Women She is the first and only lawmaker across Europe who dons the Muslim headscarf. The swearing in ceremony was attended by MPs and members of the Muslim community who cheered her election as a step forward for the minority.
Ozdemir wants to be recognized for her achievements and not her headwear.
“Unfortunately, I have been reduced to nothing more than this scarf. And frankly it is hard to remove yourself from it.”
A member of the Humanist Democratic Centre (CDH), the former Christian Social francophone, Ozdemir was elected earlier this month as the youngest Belgian MP.
Ozdemir, who has Turkish background, made her debut in Belgian politics four years ago when she joined the CDH.
In 2006, she contested the municipal polls and managed to reserve a seat in the municipal council of Schaerbeek.
With a degree in public administration, she is also an active member of many NGOs and the founder of a student organization.
Controversy
The swearing-in revived a controversy about Ozdemir’s hijab.
“Belgium is founded on the two principals of neutrality and secularism,” a right-wing MP told Al-Jazeera channel.
“We will organize a dialogue to discuss the MPs’ right to express their beliefs and religious attitudes freely.”
Hijab opponents were distributing flyers at the parliament entry before the swearing-in ceremony.
Some right wing parties had tried to block the searing in ceremony because of Ozdemir’s headscarf.
The far-right Liberal Party in the regional parliament attempted to submit a legislative amendment to block religious symbols in the parliament to block Ozdemir from taking the oath.
Ozdemir was also targeted by extremist right-wing parties during the electioneering.
Hijab, an obligatory code of dress for Muslim women, is no strange for controversies in Belgium, home to more than 450,000 Muslims.
In 2007, Ghent City, Belgium’s third largest, decided to prohibit civil servants in contact with the public from donning hijab.
The decision came shortly after Belgium’s second city of Antwerp banned hijab.
But Ozdemir is putting all this behind as she assumes her new responsibilities.
“I will not be the representative of a community, but of all the people of Brussels,” she insists.
“The veil will in no way slow me down.”
-Agencies