(NEWS) Syria Bans Burkas, Islamic Veils, In Universities

"Secular regime cracks down on conservative Islam.

Syria's Education Ministry has issued a ban on the face-covering Islamic veil from the country's universities to prevent what it sees as a threat to its secular identity, as similar moves in Europe spark cries of discrimination against Muslims.

The Education Ministry issued the ban Sunday, according to a government official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak publicly."