NOTE: Before answering the following questions, read the info under “Background” and watch the video under “Resources” below.

1. For SRI LANKA, give the following information:
a) the population
b) the religious breakdown of the population
c) capital
d) location
e) the type of government
f) the chief of state (and head of government if different)

2. List the who, what, where and when of the news item.

3. a) For what reason was a temporary ban on burqas first put in place?
b) For what reason is the government permanently banning the burqa?

4. a) What is a madrassa?
b) How many madrassas are there in Sri Lanka? - How many will the government be closing?
c) For what reasons is the government closing half of the madrassas in Sri Lanka?

5. a) What do you think? The government is not closing all madrassas. Is the government right to close a madrassa that:

• is not registered with the government, and
• does not teach the country’s language and only uses its religious book (in this case the Quran)? — (Should the government allow a Jewish school that only teaches the Hebrew language and the Tenakh, or a Hindu school that only teaches the Sanskrit language and the Vedas (Hindu holy book), or a Christian school that only teaches the Bible?

b) Will only learning the language and holy book of their religion be detrimental to students functioning in society? jobs, careers, etc?
c) Does requiring all student to attend schools that adhere to certain standards set by the government help, harm or make no difference to students? Explain your answer.

6. The minister of public security says the burqa in Sri Lanka is a sign of religious extremism in his country.
Hilmi Ahmed, vice-president of the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka, told the BBC that if officials have problems identifying people in burkas "there would not be any objection from any [individual who poses a concern to law enforcement] to remove the face cover for identity purposes.” He said everyone had a right to wear a face covering regardless of their faith: "That has to be seen from a rights point of view, and not just a religious point of view."
Consider the following: What do you think?

• Is the government denying Sri Lankans their rights as citizens?
• Are officials unreasonable to suggest burqa must be banned as a way to prevent terrorism?
• Should burqa-wearing Muslims be more understanding of the concerns over terrorism?
• Is there any way Muslim women can dress modestly without wearing a cover that could be used as a disguise by terrorists?