The general coordination council of Islamic societies in Austria has denounced a proposal by Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz to ban the veil at government institutions.

The council slammed the proposal as "a clear discrimination against female Muslim citizens, who are serving their country."

"This is a religion-based discrimination against followers of Islam," the council said in a statement Monday, noting that only female Muslim wear is being banned. 

Kurz's proposal is a call to exclude Muslims from the Austrian social fabric and sends a message that they do not belong to the Austrian culture, the statement added. 

The council was also critical of amendments introduced by Kurz to a new Islam bill, which is very restrictive of Muslims' rights in Austria. 

The Austrian top diplomat is adopting right-wing ideologies of his Freedom Party with the aim to lure votes in the upcoming parliamentary elections, the council charged.

Source: MENA