Source/Credit: Liberty Magazine: JULY / AUGUST 2011: Photo: Google-Images
There is a new law in France forbidding women wearing full-face veils in public. The media has largely focused on the voices of protest from religious leaders and human rights advocates. Yet it’s important to realize that this law enjoys widespread popular support—not just in France, but across Europe.
Polls show that in many European countries similar bills would draw significant public backing, and already some countries are showing signs of following France’s example. In the Netherlands, the Dutch minority coalition is under pressure from the politically powerful Freedom Party to introduce similar legislation later this year. In Italy, while a national law is not on the table some local towns have already tried to ban the burqa through local decrees. Belgium’s lower house approved a burqa ban last year, although this still hasn’t been enacted. Seven of Germany’s 16 states have banned face veils from classrooms, and one state forbids burqas among its public sector workers. In recent years both Austria’s women’s minister Gabriele Heinisch-Hosek and Swiss justice minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf have been quoted as saying that a ban on public face veils should be considered if there’s a significant increase in the number of women who wear them.1
So What’s Driving This Trend?
According to French president Nicolas Sarkozy, the burqa ban represents an attempt to protect the dignity and equality of French women. Yet it’s clear that the move to ban public veiling in France also contains a strong element of political calculation. President Sarkozy faces elections soon, and polls show he’ll contend with strong competition from the far right. Many see this new law as a means by which Mr. Sarkozy can steal back support from this crucial voting bloc.
But there’s more than just political strategy at work. France—and indeed, much of Europe—has a checkered history when it comes to dealing with religious minorities…
Too Far?
The French believe in integration. “You want to live with us, so follow our ways.” American society believes in integration also, but it takes a less-demanding form. “You want to join us? You can keep your traditions and your religions, but obey our laws.”Religious freedom has a price and carries some risks. But in the long run a nation that attempts to protect its minorities rather than target them produces a society that is less polarized and, ultimately, more free.
Is France going too far? Is Europe going too far?
Categories: France, Human Rights, Religion
Totally silly the whole thing. In Belgium the Parliament had time to discuss the banning of the burka, but was unable to form a government. In France also there are huge problems in the economy and instead of concentrating to find a solution to those problems they waste their time on such things. – Every nation has absorbed a lot of things from outside. Do you eat Pizza and Spaghetti? Should it be prohibited if you are not in Italy?
The European hatred of Islam and Muslims goes back to crusades. Since Islam is spreading more than any other religion in the West, the Islamophobes have taken coverage behind the Hijab which has nothing to do with politics. It’s Islamic form of modesty in female dressing. However, Muslim women too should model their Hijab to meet the regional climate and not insist on Indian/Pakistani style ‘burqa’.
Nicolas Sarkozi’s problem with ‘burqa’ is rooted in his personal background. .
http://rehmat1.wordpress.com/2009/07/09/sarkozys-problem-with-burqa/
I cannot understand why they should target Muslim women like this. As long as they are law abiding citizens and not up to some criminal activities, they (France and other Western nations that ‘think’ like it), should apply their ‘freedom’ to let others practice their faith the way they want. Or is it that their so-called ‘freedom’ only means the ‘freedom’ to practice immorality in dress and otherwise?