Malmö: Burqa on bus

A bus driver in Malmö has been suspended after he allegedly tried to stop a woman from boarding because she was wearing a burqa.

The incident happened on Tuessday morning when the woman boarded the number 35 bus on her usual route between the Rosengård housing estate and the city's central station. According to the woman, the driver stopped her from boarding, saying that her burqa made her hard to identify.

A burqa covers a woman from head to toe, leaving a small gap for her eyes.

"I have never before needed to identify myself on a public bus. Wearing a burqa is my own choice and doesn't make me any more threatening than anyone else," she told Metro.

The woman stayed on the bus anyway, but claims that the driver mocked her and looked at her angrily.

Bus operator Arriva says that the driver has a different version of events, but he has been suspended while an investigation is carried out. The driver has also been reported to police. There are no rules on Malmö public buses requiring passengers to identify themselves.

Source: The Local (English)