I did a double-take when I read this story. Left-wing Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi said what? Muslims should not ‘hide’ behind veil.

ROME, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Romano Prodi said on Tuesday that Muslim immigrant women should not be completely “hidden” behind full veils if they want to integrate and become part of Italy’s future.

Since coming to power in May, Italy’s centre-left leader has responded to a huge influx of arrivals from Africa by seeking European Union help to patrol the Mediterranean while trying to make it quicker for those already in Italy to become citizens.

In an interview, Prodi was asked about comments by a senior British politician, Jack Straw, a former minister and Leader of the House of Commons, who sparked vigorous debate in Britain by saying full veils made community relations “more difficult”.

“You can’t cover your face. If you have a veil, fine, but you must be seen,” Prodi told Reuters, adding: “This is common sense I think, it is important for our society. It is not how you dress but if you are hidden or not.”

UPDATE at 10/17/06 4:51:20 pm:

Allahpundit has video of Tony Blair calling the Islamic veil “a mark of separation.”