After the previously unthinkable action of the Niqab being banned in Al Azhar itself, Western governments questioned why they should be any more tolerant to the Niqab than Egypt? After all, Turkey - the former seat of the Caliphate - had been banning the hijaab for decades. Tunisia was equally as intolerant of women covering up. So why should Western Europe be the one place where Islam could be practised freely?... Hmmm, they do have a point there.

Berlusconi was the first to jump on this opportunity. Normally the best way to deflect from all the stories about philandering and orgies would not be to attack anyone trying to be modest, but when it comes to the Niqab - normality does not apply.

Next on the bandwagon was Sarkozy. He quickly took the chance to push through his own anti-Islamic policies. With the help of his three Muslim women members of the cabinet he had already solidified the ban on Hijab in all state run institutions. Clearly not content with forcing Muslim girls to choose between their faith and gaining an education or going to Hospital, he's pushing through legislation banning Muslim women who veil themselves from even getting on public transport. What's next? Ban them from breathing?

Of course, when you talk about Italy and France, Germany can't be very far behind. Efficient as ever, the Germans were already in the midst of banning the hijaab in most states in Germany before deciding that a blanket ban on the Niqab might be useful after all.

When a group of French Imams backed the ban of the Niqab they were hailed as the enlightened voice of moderation - a kind of xenophobic icing on the cake from the nations that gave us such beacons of tolerance as Mussolini, Napolean and Hitler.

Liberte' Egalite' Fraternite' - unless you're Muslim.