Dean Moncef Ben Abdeljelil of Sousse University's school of humanities stated that armed people with swords and knives threatened to cut his throat on Thursday (October 6) after staff refused to enroll students wearing Islamic face veils. Abdeljelil said that after an initial confrontation, students and professors persuaded the four to leave peacefully.
COMMENT: Abdeljelil said the incident occurred after he refused enrollment to two students wearing the niqab, an Islamic face veil covering all but the eyes. He said he respects students' religious convictions, but that the veil conflicts with the "civic rules" of the university.
Face veils are becoming controversial not only in Islamic countries, but in Europe as well, where a number of countries have already banned the wearing of face veils (e.g., Italy, France and Belgium). The Netherlands and Australia are both on the verge of ratifying such a law.
