France Continues Debate Over Burqas in Public
EmailABC's Christophe Schpoliansky reports from Paris: France continues to debate on whether to ban from public places the burqa and its Arab equivalent, the niqab, the full head-to-toe Islamic veil. Opponents of the burqa view it as an open door to radical Islam, an attack on gender equality and other French values such as human rights, and a breach of the nation's secular foundation. Unlike the Muslim headscarves, the full-body, face-covering robes are a rare sight on the streets of France, with 1,900 women wearing them, according to the French interior ministry. France is home to an estimated 4 to 6 million Muslims, the largest such population in western Europe. Last week, Jean-François Copé, the head of the leading conservative UMP party at the French parliament and a front-runner for the presidential election of 2017, submitted a resolution stressing the importance of respecting the nation’s values. Copé also introduced a draft law on a ban on face-covering veils. The bill could be debated this spring. This move was criticized by the UMP party because it cut the ground from under the feet of the French parliamentary commission which has been studying for the past six months whether a law banning such garments from public places was needed. The commission, composed of politicians from both the left and the right camps, is to turn in its report by the end of the month. The head of the commission was quoted last week as saying he favored a burqa ban, but many lawmakers and activists have voiced skepticism saying a ban would be difficult to impose. President Sarkozy launched the debate on the burqa in June 2009, telling a parliament session in Versailles that such dress "is not welcome" in France. Sarkozy has left open the idea of introducing legislation to ban the burqa. This idea of a ban is backed by many in France, including French Prime Minister François Fillon. Yesterday, the head of President Sarkozy's UMP party took a strong stance and said he wanted a law to ensure that Muslim women who wear face-covering veils do not acquire French nationality. In 2004, France passed a controversial law banning Muslim headscarves and other “ostentatious” religious symbols in the classrooms of the French public schools and other public buildings.
RSS
Twitter
Facebook
France can and should attempt to limit the influence that Islam has on their country’s culture. It appears, though, that the attempt will be a futile one. Eventually, Islam is going to rise to a level of power and influence that will be much, much higher then the one that they currently enjoy presently.
Posted by: Jacob | January 18, 2010, 4:25 pm 4:25 pm
The burka and the niqab are a problem for any free society for at least two reasons. Firstly, anyone wearing the full versions are unidentifiable and make a mockery of identity papers, such as driver’s licenses or passports. Secondly, these forms of dress are self affirmations of second class status. As far as I am concerned, people who wear these clothes are wearing a slave suit. I note that there are no dress codes for men under Islam! This mode of dress was adopted by conservative Muslims in order to keep women in their place and are contrary to western civilization as it has developed over the past 200 years.
Posted by: Ian MacFarlane | January 18, 2010, 5:36 pm 5:36 pm
I once turned a corner in France and ran into a Moslem woman in full burkha garb and I must say I was scared for a moment because the costume is a little scary looking. It was also summer and very warm that year (35C or so.) However it is their right to dress however uncomfortably as they wish.
But they should NOT be allowed to cover their faces whilst out in public. That is a security measure. Just like racist gangs (like KKK), or terrorists (like KLA, RAF, etc), or criminals (like bank robbers) wear hoods, balaclavas, or scarves to hide identity and intimidate. How can police, banker teller, or anyone identify a person if they wear full-on face-covering garb? Masks, hoods, and veils should not be allowed to be worn in public. Many US states have laws against this due to KKK past.
Posted by: Ed | January 18, 2010, 6:23 pm 6:23 pm
I live in Melbourne, Australia. We are a secular nation that likes to think of itself as fairly tolerant. There are quite a few muslims in Australia and we are gradually recruiting them into our military, police forces and the like.
Burqas are reasonably common and I have seen a few head-to-toes around, but always in groups. I think I represent a fair slice of Australian public opinion in saying that I don’t have a problem with what people wear. The concept of banning certain types of national or religious dress, no matter how odd, is definitely unAustralian.
I remain personally offended by body-piercing, extensive tattoos and weirdo hairstyles, however.
Posted by: Peter McCrossin | January 18, 2010, 10:45 pm 10:45 pm
Why have the french become so negative? Always whining, moaning and nagging? Like a terminal patient, never anything positive. They always seem to put everybody down in order to lift themselves up. I guess the world has become to big and too fast for them. When they don’t know who they are anymore, how are we supposed to know?
Posted by: Rita Jansen | January 19, 2010, 5:02 am 5:02 am
Don’t forget – the burqa could be used to conceal terrorist explosives. France should allow burqas for now but if terrorists start using them for suicide bombings, then they need to come off as a law.
Posted by: Bob | January 19, 2010, 8:34 am 8:34 am
Ban the burka, and veils, period. The hijab can remain.
The trappings of extremist religion should not be permitted, in free countries, as they are simply trappings, and have no real importance in religion.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | January 19, 2010, 9:45 am 9:45 am
Believe what you may, but when in Rome, do as the Romans. This is the path to a peaceful society. Otherwise live and congragate in the Middle East where this “way” is accepted. Simple.
Posted by: Gerald | January 19, 2010, 9:54 am 9:54 am
If French politicians were even a tiny bit truly concerned abt the well-being of Muslim women, they would never do anything to ban the burqa or headscarves. Any person with half a brain realizes that if your family only allows you out of the house dressed in a burqa, you’re gonna be locked inside if you can’t be covered head-to-toe. Do they honestly think these women don’t feel pressured to dress this way? And do they honestly think the families that pressure these women to cover themselves will just say ”Ok, wear Western clothes then”? This movement may stop Muslim women from getting an education, getting a job, and having enough means to live their life as they want to.
Posted by: Natasha | January 19, 2010, 4:33 pm 4:33 pm
I’m afraid that I dislike burqas as they show that the person does no wish to join in with the society in which they live. I also dislike the fact that these women do not want to interact with me/us. Why live here?
Sorry Natasha, I have no problem with the women wearing them but if they wish to do so then do it in a country which accepts it, not in the West.
Posted by: Janie | January 19, 2010, 5:59 pm 5:59 pm
Culture of Western civilization has curtain values that are appreciated by most of the citizens. “Freedom” is one of the main ones. And “Freedom” to look into each others Eyes is one of the first ones, which emerged after the “Dark Ages”. Our history should not be pulled back!
Anyone, for whom it is too early to accept our freedoms, is “free” to go back and enjoy “freedom” of covering their faces in their countries!
Am I a “racist”? I never was! But I have a feeling that I should become one, before it is too late.
Posted by: Anna | January 22, 2010, 5:25 am 5:25 am
OK. Then Islamic countries should impose a law that forces all women within their borders to wear the full veil. How will you feel about that? I don’t think you will simply say to these women, come back to the west where we accept your ugly face.
Posted by: Nisaar | January 26, 2010, 6:17 am 6:17 am
Could you imagine a western women somewhere in a Muslim country with the Shariah Law walking on a street wearing shorts and a light blouse? Of course not! She would be severely offended by men on this street! This is why civilized women do not go to live in a Muslim countries, which are still reside in a Dark Ages! However, now Western Countries, unfortunately, are invaded by people from these countries and are trying to impose their Laws and way of thinking on us!
We need to say “No!”. But not to a race, nationality or a country. We are not racists for a long time by now! We are against people with arrogant and predominant animal mentality.
Posted by: Anna | January 27, 2010, 5:06 am 5:06 am
Nobody seems to be interviewing the women who wear the hijab/burqa to find out why they wear it. There may be motivations that face-crazy Westerners do not, or do not wish to, understand.
It is so paradoxical that France wants to uphold its libertarian traditions by banning what amounts to a personal expression of women.
Posted by: kieran f. johnston | January 27, 2010, 8:48 pm 8:48 pm