Excerpt:
Muslim community leaders in Austria have told Anadolu Agency they are worried about a new government move to ban full-body and facial veils used by some Muslim women from being worn in public.
Anadolu Agency heard the concerns after the Social Democratic Party and the Austrian People's Party -- coalition partners in government -- introduced a 44-item program which also includes some restrictions on foreigners and immigration.
In a statement Monday, the Austrian government said: "We believe in an open society that is also based on open communication. Full-body veils in public spaces stand against that and will therefore be prohibited."