Epigraph: And say to the believing women that they restrain their eyes and guard their private parts, and that they disclose not their natural and artificial beauty except that which is apparent thereof, and that they draw their head-coverings over their bosoms. (Al Quran 24:32)
Huff Post: by Philip Blenkinsop.
(Reuters) – The Belgian city of Ghent has scrapped its ban on civil servants wearing headscarves after its Socialist and Green majority overturned a measure imposed in 2007 when center-right parties dominated the city council.
More than 10,000 adult citizens, or about five times the number required to call the vote, had signed a petition calling for the prohibition to be lifted.
After a four-hour debate lasting almost until midnight on Monday, 29 of the city council’s 51 members voted to rescind the ban on the wearing of religious or political symbols for city officials dealing with the public.
In practice the ban prevented Muslim women in headscarves from sitting at public counters in city offices.
“This is a historic turning point for ethnic and cultural minorities,” said Naima Charkaoui, director of Forum of Minorities, an umbrella group that coordinated the citizen action. “Migrant populations are gaining political voice.”
Addendum
Ghent (/ˈɡɛnt/; Dutch: Gent, pronounced [ʝɛnt]; French: Gand, pronounced: [ɡɑ̃]) is a city and a municipalitylocated in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and largest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of northern Europe. Today it is a busy city with a port and a university.
The municipality comprises the city of Ghent proper and the surrounding towns of Afsnee, Desteldonk,Drongen, Gentbrugge, Ledeberg, Mariakerke, Mendonk, Oostakker, Sint-Amandsberg, Sint-Denijs-Westrem, Sint-Kruis-Winkel, Wondelgem and Zwijnaarde. With 240,191 inhabitants in the beginning of 2009,[2] Ghent is Belgium’s second largest municipality by number of inhabitants. The metropolitan area, including the outer commuter zone, covers an area of 1,205 km2 (465 sq mi) and has a total population of 594,582 as of 1 January 2008, which ranks it as the fourth most populous in Belgium.[3][4] The currentmayor of Ghent, Daniël Termont, leads a coalition of the sp.a, Groen and Open VLD.
The ten-day-long “Ghent Festival” (Gentse Feesten in Dutch) is held every year. About two million visitors attend.
Good News for a change!
A Million Hijab March!
Whereever there are discriminatory laws against women and against Muslims, a simple idea may work.
What can be done, which would be good for our Universal Brotherhood / Sisterhood, gender equality, religious freedoms and democratic values, would be to arrange a million Hijab march in the state or country capital.
What are your thoughts?
A Million Hijab march? Hmm … kind of like a protest? I can’t say I like the idea.