Monday, June 22, 2009
France as a bastion of the West? Strange but true... Nicolas Sarkozy: burqa not welcome in France
In a speech at the Palace of Versailles, Mr Sarkozy said that the head-to-toe Islamic garment for women was not a symbol of religion but a sign of subservience for women.
"The burka is not a sign of religion, it is a sign of subservience," he told members of both parliamentary houses gathered for his speech.
He added: "It will not be welcome on the territory of the French republic."
His comments follow an appeal last week by 65 French MPs for a parliamentary commission to examine whether Muslim women who cover themselves fully in public undermine the secular tradition in France as well as women's rights.
The MPs represent parties ranging from the Communists to Mr Sarkozy's UMP.
The call won instant support from members of Mr Sarkozy's centre-Right government but was opposed by the Socialists, the main opposition party.
The French parliament is expected to consider both the burqa, where the eyes are covered by a fabric mesh, and the niqab, which has an eye slit.
France's Muslim Council said last week that the proposal "stigmatised" Islam...
Funny, I thought that was the burqa itself.
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I actually disagree ... I think that the burqa should be permitted if it is voluntary. The government should not meddle with individual religious beliefs, as long as they do not impose a unreasonable burden on society (this would mean that driver's license photos, for example, would have to be made without the burqa).
It's a complicated issue. In general, I think you're right, and, like laws against joining the Nazi Party, or spouting Holocaust denial, there are certain things that are appropriate for Europe that may not be appropriate here. OTOH, I do find it interesting that France is on the forefront of something like this, as well as the hijab ban.
I think that the burqa should be permitted if it is voluntary.
Voluntary for whom?
So the women can continue being dominated by their fathers, brothers and husbands?