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Oz court asks Muslim woman to depose without face veil
In a latest ruling, an Australian court has asked a Muslim woman witness in a fraud case to appear before it without a face covering veil in the interest of a fair trial.
In a latest ruling, an Australian court has asked a Muslim woman witness in a fraud case to appear before it without a face covering veil in the interest of a fair trial.
Judge Shauna Deane on Thursday ruled that the witness must remove her 'niqab', or face covering veil when she gives evidence to the jury, according to media reports from Perth.
Deane said her decision should not set a legal precedent, as it was simply her ruling in these circumstances.
The judge said that in the interest of a fair trial the witness should not be allowed to wear a niqab.
The 36-year-old woman, an Islamic studies teacher, is due to give evidence for the prosecution in the fraud trial of college director, Anwar Sayed.
In court, defence lawyer Mark Trowell, QC, said the woman's wish to wear the burqa was a "preference she has".
"It's not an essential part of the Islamic faith. If she was in an Islamic court she would be required to remove it," he said.
