A parliamentary commission in France is proposing the ban of the face-veil of Muslim women (Niqab or Burqa) in all public services facilities including transportation. Face-veiled women – under this ban – are supposed to be denied access to hospitals, buses, welfare offices and all other public facilities, according to the Financial Times 1.
Face-Veil Fears
Not only among politicians, but also the face-veil ban is being encouraged by about 57% of the French population for several reasons according to a poll for Le Point magazine published last week 2. One of these reasons is a feeling that the face-veil does not belong to the French culture that supports gender equality and secularism. Another reasons is believed to be for security purposes that aim at identifying individuals in public places thus avoiding terrorist attempts. These reasons are not exclusive to the French context only. Several European governments might consider the ban for these same reasons.
Ban u-Turn to Avoid Retaliation
But the French proposal has divided the ruling center-right party because of the difficulty of such a legislation that will affect personal choices and believes and thus could be challenged from the European Commission for Human Rights. The head of the parliamentary panel, MP Andre Gerin, who has spent the last six months studying the issue has declared that a full ban on the face-veil might lead to extremist tendencies from the Muslim population in France, according to the Daily Mail 3. That is why the proposal is now being modified to a partial ban that might include schools, hospitals and public services offices only. There are five million Muslims live in France representing the largest Islamic community in Western Europe. But in spite of this large Muslim presence, there are only 1,900 fully-veiled women in France, according to the French interior ministry 4.
Face-Veil is Not Welcome in France
In a speech at the Palace of Versailles last June, Nicolas Sarkozy, the president, said the burqa was "a sign of subservience" and that "it's not welcome" in France 5. The veil is banned by French law since 2004 from primary and secondary school classrooms but still permitted in public spaces such as universities and hospitals. The reason of the ban was to control religious symbols in schools. The ban has created storms of protest all over the world among Muslim communities as the ones expected the ban of the face-veil to produce, though with possibly less fervor.
Niqab Ban in Whole Europe?
In several other European countries there are similar debates regarding the veil and the face-veil. In the Netherlands several draft laws concerning the wearing of the veil are in the making, including a measure which would ban the garment for teachers and another for civil servants.
In Denmark the government is currently discussing the possibility of limiting wearing of the veil in public places, including school and courts. It is awaiting the opinion of a government commission before deciding.
In Italy a 1975 law, aimed at protecting public order, makes it illegal to cover one's face in public places. The provision applies equally to the veil and motorcycle helmets. Some mayors from the anti-immigrant Northern League have banned the wearing of the full veil, and the Muslim swimsuit, locally.
In Britain the education ministry in March 2007 published directives allowing directors of public establishments and denominational schools to ban the Niqab, after several high-profile court cases.
In Austria Social Democratic Women's Minister Gabriele Heinisch-Hosek launched the debate recently and is mulling a ban on the full veil in public spaces if the number of women veiled from head to toe increases dramatically.
In Belgium numerous districts ban the full veil in public places under local laws and police ban the wearing of masks in the street except during the period of carnival 6.
Euro-Muslims Editorial Desk
1. Jennifer Thomson. "Burqa plan divides UMP." Financial Times. 12 Jan. 2010. Accessed on: 26 January 2010.
2. Le Point
3. Peter Allen. "French U-turn ob Burka Ban over fears of 'terrorist reprisals'." Daily Mail. 26 Jan. 2010. Accessed on 26 Jan. 2010.
4. "France set to move towards burqa ban." AFP. 26 Jan. 2010. Accessed on 26 Jan. 2010.
5. Elaine Ganley. "Lawmaker's report wants limits on Muslim face veil." The Washington Post. 26 Jan 2010. Accessed on: 26 Jan 2010.
6. "Will the Niqab be Banned in Europe?" Siasat. 24 Jan. 2010. Accessed on: 26 Jan. 2010.
Face-Veil Fears
Not only among politicians, but also the face-veil ban is being encouraged by about 57% of the French population for several reasons according to a poll for Le Point magazine published last week 2. One of these reasons is a feeling that the face-veil does not belong to the French culture that supports gender equality and secularism. Another reasons is believed to be for security purposes that aim at identifying individuals in public places thus avoiding terrorist attempts. These reasons are not exclusive to the French context only. Several European governments might consider the ban for these same reasons.
Ban u-Turn to Avoid Retaliation
But the French proposal has divided the ruling center-right party because of the difficulty of such a legislation that will affect personal choices and believes and thus could be challenged from the European Commission for Human Rights. The head of the parliamentary panel, MP Andre Gerin, who has spent the last six months studying the issue has declared that a full ban on the face-veil might lead to extremist tendencies from the Muslim population in France, according to the Daily Mail 3. That is why the proposal is now being modified to a partial ban that might include schools, hospitals and public services offices only. There are five million Muslims live in France representing the largest Islamic community in Western Europe. But in spite of this large Muslim presence, there are only 1,900 fully-veiled women in France, according to the French interior ministry 4.
Face-Veil is Not Welcome in France
In a speech at the Palace of Versailles last June, Nicolas Sarkozy, the president, said the burqa was "a sign of subservience" and that "it's not welcome" in France 5. The veil is banned by French law since 2004 from primary and secondary school classrooms but still permitted in public spaces such as universities and hospitals. The reason of the ban was to control religious symbols in schools. The ban has created storms of protest all over the world among Muslim communities as the ones expected the ban of the face-veil to produce, though with possibly less fervor.
Niqab Ban in Whole Europe?
In several other European countries there are similar debates regarding the veil and the face-veil. In the Netherlands several draft laws concerning the wearing of the veil are in the making, including a measure which would ban the garment for teachers and another for civil servants.
In Denmark the government is currently discussing the possibility of limiting wearing of the veil in public places, including school and courts. It is awaiting the opinion of a government commission before deciding.
In Italy a 1975 law, aimed at protecting public order, makes it illegal to cover one's face in public places. The provision applies equally to the veil and motorcycle helmets. Some mayors from the anti-immigrant Northern League have banned the wearing of the full veil, and the Muslim swimsuit, locally.
In Britain the education ministry in March 2007 published directives allowing directors of public establishments and denominational schools to ban the Niqab, after several high-profile court cases.
In Austria Social Democratic Women's Minister Gabriele Heinisch-Hosek launched the debate recently and is mulling a ban on the full veil in public spaces if the number of women veiled from head to toe increases dramatically.
In Belgium numerous districts ban the full veil in public places under local laws and police ban the wearing of masks in the street except during the period of carnival 6.
Euro-Muslims Editorial Desk
1. Jennifer Thomson. "Burqa plan divides UMP." Financial Times. 12 Jan. 2010. Accessed on: 26 January 2010.
2. Le Point
3. Peter Allen. "French U-turn ob Burka Ban over fears of 'terrorist reprisals'." Daily Mail. 26 Jan. 2010. Accessed on 26 Jan. 2010.
4. "France set to move towards burqa ban." AFP. 26 Jan. 2010. Accessed on 26 Jan. 2010.
5. Elaine Ganley. "Lawmaker's report wants limits on Muslim face veil." The Washington Post. 26 Jan 2010. Accessed on: 26 Jan 2010.
6. "Will the Niqab be Banned in Europe?" Siasat. 24 Jan. 2010. Accessed on: 26 Jan. 2010.
