New Delhi, Oct. 19 -- Portugal 's parliament on Friday approved a bill banning face veils worn for "gender or religious" reasons in public, in a move seen as targeting the face coverings worn by some Muslim women.

The measure was proposed by the far-right Chega party and would prohibit coverings such as burqas - a full-body garment that covers a woman from head to foot - and niqabs - the full-face Islamic veil with space around the eyes - from being worn in most public places. Face veils would still be allowed in airplanes, diplomatic premises and places of worship.

The bill stipulates fines for those wearing face veils in public ranging between 200 euros and 4,000 euros ($234 and $4,669).

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa still has to...