Italy's first scarved woman runs for election

A scarved Muslim woman is running for local elections in central Italy despite the country's Islamophobic restrictions against women wearing hijab. Maymouna Abdel Qader is a political science graduate of the University of Perugia, and the daughter of Mohammed Abdel Qader, the Imam of Perugia. “I am running for this election because I am a Perugini. I have a lot to give this city,” Abdel Qader told Press TV reporter in Italy. “My religion has also brought me along this road. It is an example against the misconception that Islam limits you.” Maymouna, who is of Palestinian descent, is running for Perugia's communal council for Sinistra e Liberta coalition, which is made up of mainly socialist, anti-war, and secular parties. She is also one of the founders of the Young Italian Muslims association. The elections will take place this weekend on June 6th and 7th. Perugia is a city in central Italy with 160,000 inhabitants. It is home to the ancient Universita degli Studi, a center of learning for 700 years.