Making Sense of French Burqa Ban
Written by Zahid
16. Jul, 2010 
16 Comments
I am sure by now you have heard about the French Burqa ban. To my surprise, it was one of the top stories on most of U.S. media.
So what happened?
French parliament approved a nationwide ban on full-face veils in public places on July 13th, 2010. After the French senate approves it in September, it will go into effect. After that, a woman wearing the Burqa in a public building or place in France will be fined 150 euros ($185). If the Burqa is forced, enforcer will be fined 30,000 euros ($38,000) or be jailed for one year.
Highlights of the issue:
- France is home to the largest number of Muslims in Europe, and make up nearly 8% (5 million) of the country’s population (64 million).
- Majority of French voters approve of this ban and support it.
- Organization representing French Muslims says face-covering veils are not required by Islam and not suitable in France.
- Only about 1,900 women in France are believed to wear face-covering veils.
- In 2004 France passed a law barring students from wearing a headscarf or any other piece of clothing that would indicate the religion of the student wearing it.
- France is not the first country in Europe to ban Burqa, Belgium is.
My mom wears a Niqab and I grew up in Dubai accustomed to seeing women wearing Burqa, Niqab or any variation of it. She does Niqab because she wants to and not because of pressure from my family. Niqab is about choice, not religion. I don’t think banning an article of clothing solves the issue of extremism which is what the the French lawmakers are claiming this ban is supposed to accomplish.
Articles related to this issue I recommend you read:
France BURQA BAN: French Parliament Approves Ban On Face Veils – HuffingtonPost
The French burqa ban – Saudiwoman
French Burqa Ban in line with European trend – Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Outlaw Clothing: Burqas, Islamophobia and Women’s Rights — Feministe
What do you think the blogosphere is leaning towards? You think this is something that we might see happening in the U.S.?
Pretty messed up, they start with the Burqa who knows what it will lead up to?
Pretty messed up, they start with the Burqa who knows what it will lead up to?
France is the most disgusting place Muslim can be, I hate the french racists
I am wondering if in all this clamour over the French burqa ban if some of you had heard about the burqa ban in Syrian state universities?
Yeah I have heard about that ban, I was shocked! Syria is a Muslim country but since it is not a democracy, all that the Govt had to do was ban it without any public vote. I don't think Syrian people agree with it…
I plan to talk about it in my next post InshAllah..
I agree with what you said in your article about “Niqab is about choice, not religion”
I really can't understand why there wasn't more protects in syria about banning of the burqa in state universities?I guess most syrians shun away from having a voice in the process as burqa has become a symbol of radical Islam after 9/11.
Well said that Burqa is a choice and a religion.
I agree with what you said in your article about “Niqab is about choice, not religion”rnI really can’t understand why there wasn’t more protects in syria about banning of the burqa in state universities?I guess most syrians shun away from having a voice in the process as burqa has become a symbol of radical Islam after 9/11.rnWell said that Burqa is a choice and a religion.
I agree with what you said in your article about “Niqab is about choice, not religion”rnI really can’t understand why there wasn’t more protects in syria about banning of the burqa in state universities?I guess most syrians shun away from having a voice in the process as burqa has become a symbol of radical Islam after 9/11.rnWell said that Burqa is a choice and a religion.
I agree with what you said in your article about “Niqab is about choice, not religion”rnI really can’t understand why there wasn’t more protects in syria about banning of the burqa in state universities?I guess most syrians shun away from having a voice in the process as burqa has become a symbol of radical Islam after 9/11.rnWell said that Burqa is a choice and a religion.
I agree with what you said in your article about “Niqab is about choice, not religion”rnI really can’t understand why there wasn’t more protects in syria about banning of the burqa in state universities?I guess most syrians shun away from having a voice in the process as burqa has become a symbol of radical Islam after 9/11.rnWell said that Burqa is a choice and a religion.
I agree with what you said in your article about “Niqab is about choice, not religion”rnI really can’t understand why there wasn’t more protects in syria about banning of the burqa in state universities?I guess most syrians shun away from having a voice in the process as burqa has become a symbol of radical Islam after 9/11.rnWell said that Burqa is a choice and a religion.
I agree with what you said in your article about “Niqab is about choice, not religion”rnI really can’t understand why there wasn’t more protects in syria about banning of the burqa in state universities?I guess most syrians shun away from having a voice in the process as burqa has become a symbol of radical Islam after 9/11.rnWell said that Burqa is a choice and a religion.