We all know about the vicious racist attacks by the Perussuomalaiset (PS)* party. Their partner in government, the National Coalition Party, has been flirting with populist-style racism as well—yesterday, Social Security Minister Sanni Grahn-Laasonen, whose responsibilities include gender equality.
On Tuesday, she told Helsingin Sanomat that she would be in favor of Finland joining the likes of France in prohibiting the niqab and burka. She added that these types of attire should be prohibited at school.
As Finland’s government parties continue to see their ratings go down in opinion polls, they are pulling these types of stunts to claw back voters.
The saddest matter is the harm that a minister like Grahn-Laasonen does to children who are Muslims and may use the niqab or veil. I wonder how many children Grahn-Laasonen has seen in Finland wearing a niqab or burka? This is an example of cheap populism.
Or should the issue play out in her world, where Muslim children will run up to her and thank her for liberating them?
The truth is that Grahn-Laasonen would care less for such children because she doesn’t believe in religious freedom.
