The Australian government on Monday lifted its ban regarding the use of face veils, such as burqas and niqabs after the prime minister's intervention.

Earlier this month, the Parliament House announced barring "persons with facial coverings" from going inside public galleries, adding that they would have to sit in a separate area, behind a sound proof glass.

Like Us on Facebook

The ban has earned massive outrage because of its implied discrimination against Muslim women wearing Islamic veils.

In a statement released by the Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) on Monday, persons wearing facial covers will now be allowed in the Parliament House's public galleries, but they would have to temporarily remove the covering at entrances in order for the security identification.

The move would allow the security staff to identify people who are prohibited from the Parliament House or those who pose security threats.

"After they have briefly shown their faces for identification, they can now move freely around the building while wearing their facial coverings," according to a statement released by the DPS.

A DPS official who refused to be named, said on Monday that during that day, there was not anyone who visited the Parliament House wearing facial covering.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he was not informed about the implementation of the ban, and in turn, has encouraged House Speaker Bronwyn Bishop to reconsider it.

Bishop, together with Senate President Stephen Parry, authorized the ban. Both campaigned for the restriction of Muslim head scarves from schools.

According to Parry, the restriction was in response to Australian jihadists' terrorism threats and to rumors of people wearing facial coverings who were planning a protest during the prime minister's questions in October 2.

In addition, he said that the decision for implementing the ban was not due to the advice from authorities or the national security agency, but was an interim measure done to protect the House of Representatives against any untoward disruptions by Australian terror groups.

Tagspolitics, clothing, Purdah, Culture, Islam and women, Burqa