TEACHING TOLERANCE:

Saudi: OK to uncover face in anti-burqa countries (Abdullah Al-shihri, 7/24/10, Associated Press )

A popular Saudi cleric said Saturday it is permissible for Muslim women to reveal their faces in countries where the Islamic veil is banned to avoid harassment, while deploring the effort to outlaw the garment in France.

MORE:
Spanish mayor closes 'too popular' mosque (Fiona Govan, 23 Jul 2010, Daily Telegraph)

Angel Ros, the socialist mayor of Lleida, in the northeastern region of Catalonia, complained that the mosque was too full and closed it on Wednesday until further notice.

The building, a former garage used to service trucks, was often filled with crowds exceeding a thousand people, the council said, when the authorised limit for the venue is 240. [...]

The move follows a recent ban on women wearing the burka or niqab in municipal building in the Catalan town.