Today, we give our Talk of the Day over to our colleagues in the Conversation About Race blog.

Eight years ago, sorrow, shock and terror blanketed our nation. Today is a day to remember those who lost their lives and those who today are serving around the world in an effort to protect us from such events ever happening again.

And it is a day to show compassion to our Muslim friends, many of whom have been on the receiving end of fear and discrimination since that fateful day.

As my friend Doug Wong writes:

“It is easy for many of us to still…

French lawmakers are once again considering a ban on burkas or full veils worn by Muslim women.

Last Monday, President Nicolas Sarkozy controversially told lawmakers that the traditional Muslim garment was “not welcome” in France, according to CNN.

The right of Muslim women to cover themselves is fiercely debated in France, which has a large Muslim minority but also a staunchly secular constitution.

In 2004, the French parliament passed legislation banning Muslim girls from wearing headscarves in state schools, prompting widespread Muslim protests. The law also banned other conspicuous religious symbols including Sikh turbans, large Christian crucifixes and Jewish skull caps.

Despite those who call…