Should burkas be banned in the UK?

Burkas should be banned in some places because the government is secular

Question: Should burkas be banned in the UK?
Position‹2 of 3›: Burkas should be banned in certain contexts
Argument‹2 of 2: Burkas should be banned in some places because the government is secular

In countries with a secular government, the burka should be banned from government buildings.

The argument

The burka represents a clash between European secular government and Islamic religious identity. In secular society, religion has no place in legislative life. It should be kept out of governmental decisions and interactions. Therefore, it seems logical that such an overt symbol of religion has no place in government spaces. This would include any brazen religious icon or symbol. There is no place for crosses, kippahs or burkas in any government building.

Context

In a secular society, the government is expected to remain separate from any religious traditions, affiliations or theological influence. As a result, several secular societies, including France, the Netherlands and Austria, do not permit females to wear the burka in government buildings. France and the Netherlands extended the ban further to include all public spaces.

Premises

[P1]In a secular society religion has no place in legislative life and should be kept out of governmental decisions. [P2] An overt religious symbol therefore has no place in government spaces. [P3] This applies equally to all conspicuous religious symbols, from crosses and kippahs to burkas. [C] Therefore, because the government is secular, burkas should be banned in certain contexts like government buildings.

Counter-arguments

Freedom of Religion and Expression Aren't freedom of expression and freedom of religion also pillars of secular government? A ban on the burka from any sphere of public life would be a grotesque infringement of an individual's freedom of expression and religious freedoms. The principles of a secular state dictate that religion should be kept out of government, but this does not mean religious attire. Nor does it mean that those with religious beliefs cannot express those beliefs through their clothing while in a public office. Islamophobia The fact that limits on religious expression in public offices and buildings is only discussed in the context of a burka ban exposes the anti-Islamic motives behind the ban. We never hear a politician stand up and denounce Christian civil servants for wearing a crucifix around their necks. If these politicians truly feared religious attire and iconography infiltrating public spaces, they would denounce all symbolism, including religious tattoos, necklaces, turbans, kippahs, and headscarves, with the same gusto they attack burkas with. In reality, those calling for a burka ban in government offices are mounting an attack on Islamic culture behind the veneer of secularism.

Rejecting the premises

[P1]Secular society also demands the freedom of expression and freedom to practice any religion. [Rejecting P2] Therefore, citizens should be free to express their religion in all public spheres. [Rejecting P3] Therefore, the burka should not be banned from any public spaces.