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Latest update: 27/01/2010
- Burqa - France
Parliament calls burqa a 'challenge' to national values, backs public ban
A French parliamentary committee’s long-awaited report on a partial ban of the burqa, or full Islamic veil, was made public on Tuesday. The report, nearly 200 pages long, proposes to ban the burqa from public schools, hospitals and transport systems.
By FRANCE 24 (text)
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A much-anticipated French parliament report called Tuesday for a ban on the burqa, or full Islamic veil, in all schools, hospitals, public transport and government offices, saying the veil was an affront to French values.
"The wearing of the full veil is a challenge to our republic. This is unacceptable," the report released by a parliament commission said.
President Nicolas Sarkozy set the tone for the debate when he said last June that the veil was “not welcome in France” and was a symbol of the “subservience of women” that was not in line with the French Republic’s core value of equality.
Polls say most French voters support a ban on the burqa, a term generically used for the niqab - which covers the face, but leaves the eyes open - as well as the traditional burqa, or all-enveloping garment with a mesh, used in Afghanistan and the Indian subcontinent.
In France, the niqab is used by the Muslim community although in practice, only a tiny minority of the country’s estimated five million Muslims opt to wear it.
No consensus
The burqa ban has been a divisive issue among French lawmakers. On the left, some say banning the veil in public institutions does not go far enough, while others believe any ban would stigmatise the country’s large Muslim community.
On the right, Jean-Francois Copé, leader of the ruling UMP party in the French lower house, said he would propose his own bill which would provide for an outright ban with on-the-spot fines for offenders.
FRANCE 24’s political editor Marc Perelman, reporting from parliament, said the report did not represent any kind of consensus among lawmakers, but was a first step in a debate that is likely to continue for a long time.
“Most parties agree to ban the veil, but they do not agree on how to do it,” he said. “What is likely is a resolution, which is a way for parliament to affirm the republican principles [behind the rejection of the full veil]. But this is a difficult issue and it will not be debated until after regional elections that take place in March.”
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The commission charged with investigating a law to ban the veil interviewed senior politicians, cultural and educational experts, historians, and experts on Islam.
They also interviewed a Muslim woman from the southern French city of Avignon who wears the veil (although the interview was conducted with the veil off).
The report recommends:
A parliamentary vote supporting the rejection of the full veil: a symbolic move designed to demonstrate that “all of France” rejects the full veil and that it should be “prohibited in the French Republic”.
A ban on the wearing of the veil in public institutions: Rather than opting for an outright ban on the veil as proposed by Jean-Francois Copé, the commission recommends that the ban should only apply to public places – hospitals, post offices, public transport and the like. Even so, the proposal carries significant legal risks, including the possibility that the ban may contravene European Human rights legislation.
Educational programmes: The commission seeks to avoid stigmatising the 1,900 women in France who wear the veil, and by extension the wider Muslim community. The report recommends ongoing educational programmes aimed at reducing fundamentalism and promoting France’s republican values.
Measures to reduce stigmatising the French Muslim community: Less discussed than the veil issue, the report also recommends measures aimed at the wider Muslim community, including the creation of a “national school of Islamic studies”, debates on the nature of Islamophobia, direct aid for the building of mosques and Islamic cultural centres, and the creation of new national holidays to celebrate religious festivals such as the Islamic Eid and Judaism's Yom Kippur. However, some of these proposals were not unanimously approved by the commission, and are included in the report simply as “individual suggestions”.
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Comments (46)
BURQA
I LIKE WOMAN WEARING THE FULL BURQA
The Islamic Veil(s)
Although a Roman Catholic, I support the right of Muslim women to wear a veil with the following exception. That exception being the so-called "Burqa" or any veil that covers the full face of a woman. I would never support a "mask" being worn in public for anyone
burqa ban
...the burqa is extreme. France should ban it in their nation. Others will follow.....colorado, usa
Veil; is it matter of threat for others?
I would like to say that the veil is a personal choice of every Muslims women, and no one should feel threat to himself or his society... It is against Democratic values whihc west is trying to bring to eastern countries... and it will give a bad expression for all Muslims all over the world...
burqa
Although the burqa looks grim it has been defined as a measure of the inferiority of men. The theory is that men are so weak, their faith so shallow that the sight of an uncovered women would make them abandon their faith. The burqa affirms the strength of women and the weakness of men
wearing a burqa
readers i have some comments about wearing of burqa whom a one of the muslims tradation and culture,readers in my side i think their is no such reasons why they discriminate this way of wearing,,as long as a persons who wear this kind of dress or whatever burqa we call,,have no any bad intentions to somebody else they can wear any what they want to wear,remember that we born without any clothes that we have during our childs birth..for me it is a big mistake and one kind of discrimination to a human being ,,i know their are some rules that the rules of that culture or tradation will be follow whom they made their rules for being muslims like ,readers this is only my own opinion about this issue that i read and see in your report as of this moments,,me i respect all persons either they had different kind of wearing or whatever like that .
is it extreme?
I understand the French concern... In my experience, Muslims are unapologetic when violating the west culture and values. In fact, Muslim culture is used as defence when they act against western values. Just read the history for the Universal Islamic Declaration of Human Rights.
However... how can France enforce a law against the Burqa? I dont think someone who willingly wears a Burqa should be criminal. Is not coercive, violent, or harmful.
That said... I'm from the U.S. which does not have a large immigration of Muslims and our 'freedom of religion' value is much different. Can someone from France comment there point of view
The Ban
If I lived or visited a Muslim country, Iran per say, I would respect their culture and laws. So I'll never visit such a place. Meanwhile, no burqas in France! or any other democratic nation
Islam
What a free country?
Muslim is welcome in their own country but not in France
Muslim countries will never allow either one of us as European or US to dress up in our own way . Mrs. Clinton came to muslim country see have to put her weil even just for a short visit . I only see those women just hypocrites but nothing else .
Too much freedom is cost the country
France is too much freedom for allow those practices now the country have to pay the consequences . It's appear to me for so long an act is non respect to the country . Those men or women with weil should practice and go back to their country where they can feel close with theit religion and France don't have to deal with those hypocrites acts . It's really shocking to see theay can allow walk on the street with their weils .
burqa
burqas actually make women secnd class citizens by denying them the right of freedom and any equality of thought and independence of action.
THE BURKA
this is sickening How can any goverment think its ok to impose regulations ( rules ) on culture and traditions , ive heard the french talk about french values and its rich culture but how can u have a rich culture if u do not respect another culture......
i heard the france has
i heard the france has freedom of religons so why france wants to ban bruqa i have humble request to President of France plz dont do this is not good for your nation i m student in United state in high school i m jst telling you plz send this message to President of France
ninjas
the sword?where you may find your earned shade.smile until you can wield it against your enemies.those infidels
truth words
why ban...........sir,a man will tease neither.someone who has grown up in a gender aparheid and embraces the attendant fantasies thereof will tease. and by the eay ,the term "tease" is a cover up for harrassment and rape,which leads to family dishonour and the victims death.most unjust.
Islam
What a free country.
No Hijab is the same as Chastity or Protection
Regarding the issue of the report by the French parliamentary commission recommending the banning of the most extreme form, the all-covering type of hijab (known as niqab) by Muslim women in public institutions and in pubic buses, I want to say this:
Covering up women as an object does not mean chastity nor it does protect women. According to polls reported on across respectable media last year, throughout the Arab world women are crying out for respect and protection: harassment, including groping and verbal abuse, is a daily experience women in the region face and this makes them wary of going into public spaces, whether it's the streets or at jobs, the participants in the poll said. It happens regardless of what women are wearing.
banned
I think they shouldnt ban it, 'cause it is their religion, you know?
most importantly...
Mainly, I believe that there could be widespread concern in differentiating who is a ninja or not. Ninjas could be walking among us and we wouldn't know it until tasting the cold steel of an ancient samuri sword. They walk among us...
Burka Ban
This message is in regards to the person above asking if the ban includes nuns. You can see a Catholic nuns face it is not covered like the burka. Do you even know what a burka is? Obviously you don't. France is not banning the hijab. Great job France, all of the western world should now follow the same laws
Burkhas, Bikini, Priests Robe or Masa¡'s piece of leather ?
France and other countries invaded many muslim countries and still has very strong influence and other ties with these countries, This futile gesture from the very groups of individuals under the banner of the government. in the name of freedom they are imposing their macho rules. We all learn our cultures and traditions, and must be allowed to practise in a SO Called Deocratic countries. Democracy hides its fears under a Burkha(burqa)Never mind the women Who choose to wear them. To me those almost necked obies bodies in a civilised society are far more offensive. Burkha should be regarded as respectable dress code. I am not Muslim but I respect this as much as the priests robe,a french woman's (mas produced)scarf as well as A Masai's peace of leather.
I don't get this
I think muslim just interpreting this the wrong way.
I read the coran but there is not details about how women needs to cover themselves.
Burqa
If they want to wear the burqa, then they should go back to their own country. They do not need to wear this demeaning piece of cloth. They should not be allowed to wear this in public. France is not a repressive society, and should not be forced to accept something from another country. If they want to wear it, then wear it in their oun house, but no where else.
Burqa
They should not be allowed to wear the burqa in public. If they wish to do so in the privacy of their own home, then that would be okay.
here in the U.S., you will
here in the U.S., you will get stares and possible comments made to you if you are wearing a burqa. If i have to travel to an Islamic country, i must wear one. Follow the rules of the country you live in. For France, if they want to ban it, BAN IT!
Second attempt to Post This :)
My grandfather was a gomier and fought under the French flag to liberate France--The pictures of his clothes proves they weren't quite French; his wife, my grandmother, wore a Nigab, a transparent veil over the face except the eyes--I wonder how my grandfather would have felt forcing his wife to take off what she willingly wanted to wear--I won't say more, I will let you impose a dress code on his grand-children, or maybe under the current French government wasn't French enough, yet fit enough to defend the French flag and liberate France!
Burqua Laws
I agree with banning full cover burquas for security concerns (you wouldn't let a man wearing a ski mask enter a bank), however, beyond that point is censorship over clothing which is no different that the Muslim community that requires covering. What if a French woman covers her head from the wind with a scarf, is that to be considered inappropriate head covering. Where do you draw the line?
oh we surely goin streight to hell...
to walk in mini skirts its legal no one complains if panties r shown in public display ..we see disgusting tranvestites everywhere in public and gays too.....but smhow we feel so ofended by the wearing of a burgoa by a muslim woman...we r pathetic really.....we call ourselves modern and democratic but we started to decide wht one should wear and wht nt to....
and all of u who feel so exited abt banning it....do u have any drop of mind in ur heads??bc today its burgoa tomorrow who knows wht all of a sudden the governments will decide to ban from our rights...nice going humanity...long live democracy and human rights and freedom of religion
WHY BAN
Why ban to burqa only, why are you not banning the burqa which nun wears,
one more thing imagine two girls are walking in a street and one wearing burqa & other skirt, who do you think a man will tease a women wearing burqa or a women wearing skirt, definetly a women wearing skirt.
dress
Is bruqa more demeaning to women than the socially imposed sexually provocative dress seen rather often in Paris and other western cities? I don't think so. I think that all men and women should strive towards gender equality and not focus on the inequality of "the other."
dress
Is bruqa more demeaning to women than the socially imposed sexually provocative dress seen rather often in Paris and other western cities? I don't think so. I think that all men and women should strive towards gender equality and not focus on the inequality of "the other."
toura boura
that is very right decision it should be applied all over free countries specially France - Land of Natural Beauty and fashion
if these people does not like it they simply can return their back home kindhar or toura boura or whatever ..
France's New Banner?
Will Nuns be included? :) Welcome back to medieval France, Make sure your clothes are 'French' or 'so' before visiting? Well quite a banner for 21st. century FRANCE!!!!!!!!!
France's New Banner?
Will Nuns be included? :) Welcome back to medieval France, Make sure your clothes are 'French' or 'so' before visiting? Well quite a banner for 21st. century FRANCE!!!!!!!!!
France's New Banner?
Will Nuns be included? :) Welcome back to medieval France, Make sure your clothes are 'French' or 'so' before visiting? Well quite a banner for 21st. century FRANCE!!!!!!!!!
The veil is very revealing
Who invented the idea that women had to hide themselves as thought they were unfit to be seen. Not God thats for sure. Imagen a world filled with humans walking around wrapped up and packaged in cloth.
Support
From a U.S. citizen to the French I support you all 100% in your efforts to reclaim and maintain your heritage.
Full Report?
Hello, does anyone know where I can find the full report? Preferably in English. Thanks
Viva France
Well done france, i wish we had the balls to maintain our culture. Alex. UK
backs ban on burqa in public places
The entire EU countries should ban 'Burqa' from public places.
If somebody is in other country they should follow the rules of that country.
How do we identify who is behind the Burqa?
The Banning of the Burqa;
I think people need to respect the views of muslims whether they live in France or anywhere else in the world.
These politicians need to realise that Islam is a complete way of life and if they cannot live in todays times where tolerance plays a big part than i am sorry to say that they are very ignorant and misled.
Read the Quran and maybe one will understand what it prescribes not only for Muslims but for non-Muslims as well.
U.K to follow?
U.K to follow? I hope so, well done France for setting the precedent.
How come it's a big deal if
How come it's a big deal if our government pass it's own laws? How come in some Muslim countries, we have to respect their laws, tradition and culture when they could not respect ours? Just wondering why?
Banning the Burqa?
this is sickening. How any government can think it's fair to impose regulations on a culture is just ignorance. A burqa is not just a symbol of womens subserience. This is not something for a non-muslim leadership to vote upon.
ban it
it's offensive to those who see it and those women who are forced and/or choose to wear it, ban it.
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