France's burqa debate heats up

It's the driving fine that's turned into an affair of state. Controversy is raging in France after a woman was fined for wearing a full Islamic veil while driving. Now it has emerged that her Algerian-born husband could be stripped of his French citizenship because he is suspected of polygamy and benefits fraud. This comes less than a week after the government announced plans to introduce a new law in the coming months that would ban the full Islamic veil in public places.

FOCUS

By Molly Hall

12/11/2009 - COLOMBIA

Digging up Colombia's ugly past

In the name of anti-guerrilla warfare, Colombian paramilitary forces spread terror in the countryside over two decades. Their units now disbanded, some have gone back to the sites of the killings to repent.

11/11/2009 - ARMISTICE DAY

Former foes put on show of unity in Paris

Angela Merkel has become the first German chancellor to attend commemorations of the end of Word War I in Paris with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, celebrating the close partnership between two former foes.

11/11/2009 - AFGHANISTAN

Rough road for Afghan reconstruction

Since 2001, the international community has spent at least 30 billion dollars on development projects in Afghanistan. But there are growing fears that much of the money has gone to waste.

11/11/2009 - USA

Fort Hood and Killeen are not Obama territory

Barack Obama has joined thousands of mourners at a memorial honoring those killed in last week's shooting at the US military base at Fort Hood. The emotional tribute comes as the investigation continues into what motivated the suspect.

10/11/2009 - NORTH AMERICA

The scourge of female genital mutilation

Though female genital mutilation is widely considered to be a violation of women's rights, it remains common practice in parts of the world. We take a closer look at an entrenched tradition and efforts to stamp it out.

React to the article

(3) Reactions

remember

by Anonyme - 04/05/2010 - 09:39

The French people, despite some stupid french bashing jockes, used to kick the asses of those who try to "prevail"in their country. Sometime it take a long time ( 100 years) sometimes less...But it ALWAYS happen.
Islam will never EVER prevail in France, who want bet ?

report abuse

re:burqa

by Anonyme - 27/04/2010 - 22:25

this is unfurtunate that the france govt. is trying to force muslim to revolt against it. the veil is the islam way of life which the france govt.can not force the moslem from wearing it. why can the france govt.stop those going to beach naked or those women going naked in the name of fashion? what ever the france or belgium do, the islam will prevail.
t.

. the