Last January, after six months of deliberation, a 32-member parliamentary commission announced a recommendation to ban Muslim women from wearing the burqa, a full-body garment, in public areas such as post offices, schools, and public transportation.
“The wearing of the full veil is a challenge to our republic. This is unacceptable,” the commission said.
Both the French President Nicholas Sarkozy and Prime Minister Fancois Fillon favor a ban, which is expected to become law later this year. In 2004, France banned religious head scarves in public schools.
The justifications of the ban range from preserving the French culture to women’s rights, and national security.
The proposed ban further accentuates the divide between the West and Islam in regards to women’s rights. Many Western societies view Islamic head coverings, like the burqa, as being oppressive to women. Many, like Sarkozy, see the burqa as a sign of subservience.
However, in many instances, it is a woman’s autonomous decision to wear a burqa on the grounds of modesty. The Quran does not mandate women to wear a burqa. The Quran only requests women to dress modestly in order to protect themselves from harassment. (This passage can be found in Sura Al Hijaab 33:59.) Just like with abortion in the United States, what a woman decides to do with her body, whether it deals with reproduction or her clothing choice, should be left to her own discretion. That decision should neither be made for her by a man nor a governmental body.
Implementing a blanket ban on the burqa or any head covering is discriminatory to women. It is discriminatory to women because there is no way to distinguish between whether or not the woman was forced or obligated by her culture to wear a burqa. If the French are so concerned with freeing women from oppression, they should better evaluate the ramifications of the proposed ban. Without a burqa, these women will not venture into these burqa-free places. These actions would confine women, especially those who view it as an important part of their religion. The assertion that no woman wants to wear a burqa, or that women do not have a choice in the matter, is itself anti-choice.
Many Muslim women wear head scarves and the burqa as a way to connect to and indentify with their cultural heritage. Many also see it as a way to peacefully resist against Western aggression towards Islam. However, it is the embracing of Islamic culture by Muslim immigrants that France is trying to suppress with the ban.
Another reason given by the French for the ban, besides in the interest of women’s rights, is attempting to preserve the French cultural identity. In terms of immigrant groups, France has adopted an assimilation policy. Once again, civic nationalism and ethnic nationalism are at war with each other. When you throw religion in to the mix, it becomes even more potent.
While it is understood that France does not have the same laws or constitutions as the United States, we must all learn to respect religious minorities. If we cannot demonstrate respect for other cultures and religions, we cannot expect or demand other nations to show respect for their cultural and religious minorities.
In terms of national security, we, as human beings, cannot combat religious extremism and oppression with similarly intolerant and repressive actions. We must encourage moderation and exercise tolerance with each other. You cannot fight preconceived oppressions and injustices by suppressing an individual’s rights even further.
France’s ban on Muslim burqa is discriminatory and unwise
Published: Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Updated: Wednesday, March 17, 2010
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France’s proposed ban on the burqa is counterproductive.
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